Hyperthermic is a cancer treatment. Doctors sometimes perform it on people with certain abdominal cancers because it is less toxic than traditional Chemo.

HIPEC involves pumping heated chemotherapy drugs into your abdomen. These drugs have high concentrations, but unlike traditional chemotherapy, they’re part of a one-time treatment and don’t require using intravenous (IV) infusions into your bloodstream. Because of that, these toxic drugs are less harmful to noncancerous tissues outside your abdomen.

HIPEC procedure, risks and side effects, and other useful information can be found in the HIPEC procedure.

HIPEC is used to treat cancer that starts in your abdomen. These cancers can be difficult to treat because they are often advanced.

HIPEC is used to treat cancer.

They can also use HIPEC to treat cancerous ascites, or a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which can happen with some abdominal cancers.

Doctors usually treat ascites using abdominal tapping, which may require multiple procedures if the fluid continues to build up. One 2020 study showed that HIPEC can be an effective alternative to abdominal tapping for treating cancerous ascites.

HIPEC is a procedure that removes tumors from your abdomen at the end of debulking surgery. They perform it in your abdomen. The procedure will be done in the operating room. A doctor will give you an opiate.

The HIPEC procedure involves several steps:

  1. Your medical team will keep your body cool during the procedure by covering it with a cooling blanket.
  2. They will heat up chemotherapy drugs to 39°C (103°F) in a special device called a perfusion machine.
  3. They will put catheters in your abdomen.
  4. The heated drugs will be delivered into your abdomen by the machine.
  5. After the procedure is over, your doctors will close the incision, remove catheters, and rinse your abdomen with a salt solution.

HIPEC can be an effective treatment option for people with some abdominal cancers. A 2021 study showed that 95.6% of people with certain abdominal cancers who received HIPEC had remission as soon as 4 weeks after the procedure.

There are several benefits of HIPEC over traditional chemotherapy.

  • It is a one-time surgical treatment instead of a long-term IV treatment.
  • The majority of the drug stays inside your abdominal area.
  • It allows for a higher dose of the drug.

However, research is still ongoing to determine whether HIPEC is effective for all abdominal cancers. For example, a 2020 research review did not show that HIPEC extended the survival of people with colorectal cancer. But a 2019 study found that HIPEC was relatively safer and more effective than similar procedures.

Your doctor can tell you if HIPEC has a chance of success.

Although some experts consider HIPEC safer than traditional chemo, there are still some risks and side effects associated with this procedure. They may depend on how extensive the debulking surgery is and the chemotherapy drug the doctor uses in HIPEC.

Some of the risks of HIPEC are:

There are some side effects that can be caused by HIPEC.

Side effects may last for a few months after the surgery and are notably more intense than symptoms from system chemotherapy. It is important to manage the side effects to avoid complications.

“You don’t need to have more treatment after HIPEC. HIPEC can replace the typical course of treatment with a single surgical procedure.”

What happens after you have HIPEC?

You will most likely be in the hospital for a couple of weeks after HIPEC. The high dose of the drugs will cause your bicyle to go through a recovery period.

Your medical team will check you for fluid loss and test your electrolytes and blood glucose levels. Initially, you’ll get your nutrition via a feeding tube or IV, but you may start on a solid diet before the discharge.

It is common for people to feel weak and tired for 2 to 3 months after the surgery. It is important to rest a lot during the recovery period, but it is also a good idea to keep moving. Remaining active can help you overcome fatigue and prevent some possible problems during surgery.

It’s also important to maintain a balanced diet. Your doctor may recommend contacting a dietitian to ensure you get professional advice on your eating habits. Most insurance companies cover appointments with the dietitian, but make sure to confirm this with your provider.

HIPEC is only used to treat abdominal tumors.

The following factors are relevant to whether HIPEC is appropriate for you.

Your doctor will help you decide if HIPEC is appropriate for you and if you can take it before or after a traditional Chemo course, which they might suggest trying to increase the odds of treatment success.

HIPEC is a surgery to treat abdominal cancer. It involves pumping drugs into the body. It is less toxic than traditional chemo because it is a one-time procedure.

Some experts think it is an effective treatment for many abdominal cancers. It is usually done at the end of debulking surgery to remove tumors.

It has some risks and side effects, but is safer than traditional chemotherapy. Your doctor will help you decide.