About Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Key Highlights
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Targeted Treatment: Delivers high-dose chemotherapy directly to the abdominal cavity, maximizing cancer cell kill where it's needed most.Enhanced Effectiveness: The heat (hyperthermia) increases the penetration and potency of the chemotherapy against residual microscopic disease.Reduced Systemic Side Effects: Localized delivery minimizes exposure to the rest of the body, potentially leading to fewer classic chemotherapy side effects like hair loss or severe nausea.listrongCurative Potential:/strong Offers a chance for long-term survival and potential cure for cancers that were previously considered untreatable at an advanced stage./lilistrongCombined Approach:/strong Integrates the benefits of maximal surgical tumor removal (cytoreduction) with immediate, intensive local chemotherapy./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Peritoneal carcinomatosis (cancer spread to the abdominal lining) from appendiceal cancer, colorectal cancer, or ovarian cancer.
- Pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare condition often originating from the appendix.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma (a cancer of the abdominal lining).
- Select cases of gastric (stomach) cancer with limited peritoneal spread.
- Certain rare abdominal tumors where standard treatments have limited effectiveness.
- The procedure is typically considered when the cancer is confined to the abdominal cavity and a complete or near-complete surgical removal of visible tumors is possible.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Undergo extensive imaging (CT/PET scans) and diagnostic laparoscopy to confirm disease extent and suitability for HIPEC.
- Medical Optimization: Manage any existing conditions (heart, lung, kidney) to ensure fitness for major surgery. Nutritional assessment and support may be initiated.
- Pre-operative Counseling: Detailed discussions with the surgical oncologist and anesthesiologist about the procedure, risks, and recovery expectations.
- Bowel Preparation: A clear liquid diet and bowel cleansing regimen are typically required 1-2 days before surgery.
- Medication Review: Adjust or stop certain medications (like blood thinners) as advised by the medical team.
- Fasting: No food or drink for 6-8 hours prior to the procedure as per anesthesia guidelines.
Risks & possible complications
- General Surgical Risks: Bleeding, infection, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Bowel Complications: Leakage from intestinal connections (anastomotic leak), ileus (temporary bowel paralysis), or fistula formation.
- Organ Dysfunction: Potential temporary or permanent impact on kidney, liver, or lung function.
- Chemotherapy Effects: Bone marrow suppression (leading to low blood counts), nausea, or kidney toxicity from systemic absorption.
- Long-term Issues: Adhesions (internal scar tissue), digestive changes, or chronic abdominal pain.
- Procedure-Specific: Incomplete cytoreduction, complications related to the heated perfusion, or recurrent disease.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital Stay: Initial recovery in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 1-2 days, followed by 10-14 days or more in a regular hospital ward.
- Pain Management: Controlled with epidural or patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps initially, transitioning to oral medications.
- Nutritional Support: Intravenous (IV) nutrition is common initially. A gradual return to oral diet starts with liquids and advances slowly as bowel function returns.
- Mobilization: Early, gradual walking is encouraged to prevent complications like blood clots and pneumonia.
- Monitoring: Close monitoring of vital signs, fluid balance, and organ function. Drains are placed in the abdomen to remove excess fluid.
- Home Care: After discharge, recovery continues at home with scheduled follow-ups. Full recovery and return to normal activities can take 2-3 months, with gradual increase in strength and stamina.
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Typical hospital stay: 14-21 days
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Expected recovery time: 8-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with surgical oncology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. MediFyr helps you compare surgical oncologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy compare across other countries where we have data.
Anjali Joshi, a 58-year-old retired school...
Anjali Joshi, a 58-year-old retired school principal from Pune, had always been the pillar of her family. A year after a successful surgery for stage 3 ovarian cancer, she began experiencing persistent bloating, abdominal discomfort, and a sudden loss of appetite. A follow-up CT scan revealed the devastating news: peritoneal carcinomatosis, with small cancerous nodules scattered throughout her abdominal cavity. Her surgical oncologist, Dr. Mehta, explained that while the disease was advanced, it was still confined to the abdomen. He recommended Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) followed by Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), calling it her best chance for long-term control and potentially a cure. 'We can remove what we see and then bathe the area in heated chemotherapy to target any microscopic cells we cannot,' he said gently. Anjali underwent the extensive 10-hour procedure. The recovery in the ICU was grueling; she felt fragile and overwhelmed by pain and fatigue. However, with the steadfast support of her husband and children, she slowly turned a corner. Six months post-procedure, follow-up scans show no evidence of disease. Anjali's emotional journey was a rollercoaster, from the fear of a terminal diagnosis to the hope offered by HIPEC, through the valley of a difficult recovery, and finally to a cautious, profound gratitude. She now volunteers with a cancer support group, offering empathy born of her own experience.
Surgical Oncologists for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Explore experienced surgical oncologists who regularly perform hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 9 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore