Colon & Rectal Disorders/Lower GI

Debulking Surgery and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

ON THIS PAGE

• What are Debulking Surgery and HIPEC?
• Stages of HIPEC Surgery
• Recovery and Complimentary Services
• Our Approach to Care
• Get Care

What are Debulking Surgery and HIPEC?

A recent innovation in cancer care combines techniques from multiple branches of medicine to hard-to-treat abdominal tumors. Heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or HIPEC, combines surgery to remove the tumor with heated chemotherapy to kill any remaining, unseen cancer cells. HIPEC is effective in treating colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer of the appendix, and gives a new viable option to some patients who would otherwise be told their cancer was inoperable.  

The Center for Advanced Digestive Care (CADC) is uniquely positioned to provide this advanced, coordinated therapy due to the high level of collaboration between our physicians. Our surgical oncologists and medical oncologists attend joint tumor board case conferences to determine the proper course of treatment of complex patients. If HIPEC is recommended, the robust collaboration continues through the procedure and into recovery and follow-up care. Surgical oncologists perform the procedure in collaboration with colleagues in medical oncology, anesthesiology, nursing and other disciplines.

Stages of the HIPEC Procedure

HIPEC is can be described as a two-stage procedure. In the first stage, any tumors that can be seen with the naked eye are removed by a surgeon. This stage is referred to as the cytoreductive or “debulking” stage.  It can take several hours to remove all visible cancerous tissue.

Second, a chemotherapy solution is heated to approximately 42 degrees Celsius (roughly 105 degrees Fahrenheit), and is circulated constantly within the surgical site for up to 90 minutes in an attempt to kill any unseen cancer cells. This can be done through two methods, known as the “open” and “closed” methods, which vary based on how much of the surgical site is left open while the chemotherapy is circulated inside. The most common used chemotherapy agents used include mitomycin, cysplatin, oxaliplatin, and irinotican.

Heating the chemotherapy provides two unique advantages. First, it allows the chemotherapy to slightly penetrate the abdominal walls, which can kill unseen cancer cells. Second, a higher temperature also increases its cancer-killing ability, while reducing effects on normal cells. In addition, a higher dose of chemotherapy can be used in HIPEC than traditional intravenous methods because the body does not absorb the chemotherapy the same way through cavity walls as it does through the bloodstream. The side effects commonly associated with chemotherapy are greatly reduced.

Recovery and Complimentary Services

After a successful HIPEC surgery, patients tend to stay in the hospital for five to seven days for recovery. Most patients return to normal work activity within a month in the treatment is successful. HIPEC does carry possible side effects and complications, including gastrointestinal leaks or fistulas, impaired healing of the abdominal wall, blood clots, bone marrow suppression or pulmonary complications.

The CADC has the world-class surgical and oncologic capabilities needed perform HIPEC, and our physicians will work with you and each other to determine the best course of treatment. In addition, the CADC also offers complimentary services that are at no cost to its patients, including nutrition counseling and supportive counseling from a social worker before and after your procedure, and genetic counseling when applicable.