HIPEC treatment

HIPEC is a treatment option for advanced types of cancers in the abdomen that have spread to the abdominal cavity lining, known as the peritoneum. These types of cancers are difficult to treat using traditional chemotherapy and HIPEC surgery is a more effective treatment option in such cases.

Symptoms

HIPEC is used as a treatment method in the following cases:

• Appendix cancer
• Adrenal cancer
• Stomach (gastric) cancer
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Peritoneal cancer 
• Mesothelioma (cancer in the chest or abdominal lining)
• Soft tissue sarcomas
• Wilms tumor (a type of kidney cancer mostly seen in children)

Diagnosis

1. Physical examination: The doctor will check the physical health status, medical history, and symptoms of the patient.
2. Blood tests: These tests help in checking the kidney and liver functions, along with the presence of any underlying medical conditions.
3. X-rays: They help in checking the condition of organs like the heart and lungs before surgery.
4. Imaging tests: Imaging tests like CT scans, PET scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds help in obtaining a clear image of the internal organs and determining the exact location of the tumor present.
5. Tissue biopsy: The doctor surgically excises a small portion of the suspected tumor and sends the excised portion to the laboratory for evaluation.
6. FNAC / Fine needle aspiration cytology: The doctor inserts a thin needle into the growth lump to remove samples of cells from the tissue or fluid present in the lump. The fluid or cells are then examined under a microscope to check for the type of cancer cells present.

Treatment

• The surgeon will first perform a debulking surgery in which all the visible tumors from the abdomen are removed through an incision made in the abdomen. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, that is, the patient is put to sleep during the procedure.
• A cooling blanket will then be placed around your body to keep the body at a safe temperature during the procedure.
• Chemotherapy drugs are heated up to a temperature of 103°F in a special device known as a perfusion machine.
• Catheters from a perfusion machine are then inserted into the abdomen.
• The perfusion machine delivers the heated chemotherapy drugs into the abdomen for about 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Once the procedure is completed, the doctor removes the catheters, rinses the abdomen with a salt solution, and then closes the incision.

Risks

Although HIPEC is considered to be safer than chemotherapy, there may be some side effects associated with the procedure. Some of the risks associated with HIPEC are:

• Lung damage
• Intestinal leaks
• Blood clot formation in the legs
• Low blood cell count
• Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss 
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Depression
• Sleep problems 

After Procedure

• You will stay in the hospital for four to fourteen days after the HIPEC procedure, depending on the extent of the surgery.
• You will be given food through a feeding tube or intravenously during the initial recovery period.
• You will be given antibiotics and painkillers to help in preventing any infection or discomfort during the procedure.
• Once you return home from the hospital, you will need a follow-up appointment with the oncologist four to twelve weeks after the procedure, depending on the extent of the surgery.
• The oncologist will monitor the progress of your cancer and determine if further chemotherapy sessions are needed.
• Complete recovery after the HIPEC procedure may take up to three months.

Benefits:

HIPEC has the following advantages over traditional chemotherapy:

• Lesser side effects
• Destruction of more cancer cells due to the intense dose of chemotherapy provided
• Single treatment session
• Improved long-term outcomes
• More treatment options for patients who have advanced-stage cancer or who cannot undergo surgery 

Cost of HIPEC in India- 1

The cost of HIPEC in Mumbai is between INR 4,25,000 to INR 6,50,000.
The cost of HIPEC in Delhi is between INR 4,10,000 to INR 6,25,000.
The cost of HIPEC in Bangalore is between INR 4,10,000 to INR 6,25,000.
The cost of HIPEC in Chennai is between INR 4,00,000 to INR 6,00,000.