HIPEC: what it is and when it is applied
HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is a modern method of treating certain oncological diseases of the abdominal cavity. Its name translates as "hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy." It sounds complicated, but let's try to explain it simply.
HIPEC — answers to popular questions
What is HIPEC?
HIPEC is a treatment method aimed at targeted destruction of cancer cells in the abdominal cavity using a heated solution of chemotherapy drugs.
The main task of HIPEC is to destroy the remaining microscopic cancer cells as much as possible, which cannot be surgically removed and which can lead to a relapse. Properly performed hyperthermic intra-abdominal chemotherapy can significantly reduce the risk of the disease returning and increase the patient's life expectancy.
What is the essence of the method?
- First, the patient undergoes surgery, during which the surgeon removes all visible tumors in the abdominal cavity.
- Then a special solution with chemotherapy drugs is injected into the abdomen, heated to a temperature of about 42 ° C.
- This solution "washes" the abdominal cavity for 60-90 minutes.
Why is the solution heated?
Heat enhances the effect of drugs and helps them penetrate deeper into tissues. In addition, the heat itself damages the cancer cells, making them more vulnerable.
How does HIPEC differ from conventional chemotherapy?
- With traditional chemotherapy, drugs carry blood throughout the body, which is why healthy cells also suffer.
- With HIPEC, drugs act locally — only in the abdomen, and the minimum amount gets into the bloodstream.
- This allows you to use higher doses of the drug with fewer systemic side effects.
What diseases are HIPEC used for?
The method is used for some types of cancer that spread through the abdominal cavity:
- ovarian cancer;
- colon and rectal cancer;
- stomach cancer;
- pseudomixoma;
- mesothelioma;
- mucinous cancer of the appendix and other rare tumors.
What are the advantages of the method?
- allows you to remove hidden microscopic tumor foci that are not visible during surgery;
- reduces the risk of the disease returning;
- the drug acts locally, less side effects;
- improves the prognosis and life expectancy of patients with certain diagnoses.
What is important for the patient to know?
- HIPEC is a serious and complex procedure that is performed only in large medical centers.
- Not suitable for everyone — the decision is made by a consultation of doctors.
- After surgery, it takes time to recover and follow up.
In the MCSC named after A.S. Loginov HIPEC is carried out on the domestic device "Chemotherm", which allows you to perform the procedure safely and efficiently.
HIPEC is a chance for patients with severe forms of abdominal cancer. This method combines surgery and high-tech local chemotherapy, helping to combat even those cases where other methods are ineffective.
