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HIPEC Surgery
What are Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and HIPEC?
It is an innovative procedure to treat cancer originating from or spreading to the inner lining of the abdomen called the peritoneum.
It has two parts. In the first part, extensive dissection is done to remove all visible cancer and, in the second part, heated chemotherapy is delivered inside the abdominal cavity to kill the microscopic cancer cells.
- Ovarian cancers
- Colorectal cancer
- Pseudomyxoma peritonei
- Mesothelioma
- Gastric cancers
- Appendiceal cancers
During the process of removing the tumor, it may sometimes be necessary for the organs to be partially or completely removed. Removal of the organ is performed only if the tumor cannot be stripped of its surface.
Organs that may be removed include the rectum, large or small intestine, lymph nodes, peritoneum, spleen, gall bladder, etc, depending on the extent of the disease. During the HIPEC part of the surgery, heated chemotherapy solution is delivered directly into the peritoneal cavity through small channels for approximately 90 mins. The chemotherapy is heated up to 42-43 degrees Celsius. Special machines and equipments specially imported from Italy are used for the same.
- Cancers that spread to the peritoneum are challenging to treat.
- The peritoneum has poor blood supply, hence only traditional chemotherapy is less effective.
- There are various studies to show increased survival when this is combined with IV chemotherapy.
- It may decrease symptoms and increase quality of life.
- Major surgery lasting 10-16 hours
- 1-2 days of ICU stay
- 10-12 days of hospital stay
- The preparation for this major surgery is started pre-operatively by your doctor
As these are major surgeries, it involves a specially trained team to perform such surgeries. Such surgeries are done best in an advanced centre with state-of-the-art facilities.
Dr Venkat, with decades of experience in the oncological field, has a niche speciality in managing gynaecological and peritoneal surface malignancies, and intra-peritoneal chemotherapy techniques such as HIPEC are his special area of interest. With his vast experience, he has managed several Supra-Major complex cases with good outcomes.
Veritas Cancer Care is also one of the few cancer teams in Chennai to use Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) for cancer treatment in Chennai. Headed by Dr Venkat P, our team of surgical oncologists guarantee you will receive prompt care and treatment.
