What is HIPEC?
HIPEC stands for Hyperthermic Intra peritoneal chemotherapy. It is a procedure of delivery of chemotherapy directly into the abdomen.
It is used in conditions such as carcinoma ovary, primary , pseudomyxoma, peritoneal carcinoma, peritonei and mesotheliomas.
HIPEC is usually combined with cytoreductive surgery.
Can HIPEC be used in peritoneal metastases from stomach and colon cancer?
There have been few phase 2 trials which show benefit of using HIPEC in cancer of colon and stomach, which have perforated or have limited spread to the peritoneal, however, there is no phase 3 trials and it cannot be offered as a standard of care.
What is pseudomyxoma peritonei and how is it treated?
Pseudomyxoma is a condition in which there is accumulation of mucus in the abdomen.
Fortunately, it is a rare disease, It happens due to the rupture of a mucous-secreting organ like an appendix or less commonly due to the rupture of a mucinous tumor of the ovary. Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC are usually treated by Pseudomyxoma.