PIPAC (Pressurized Aerosol Chemotherapy)

New Horizons in Cancer Treatment: PIPAC

 

Every day, new methods and technologies continue to be developed in cancer treatment. Especially for patients with advanced-stage cancer, the need for more effective treatment options remains one of the top priorities in medicine. At this point, a method that has attracted much attention in recent years is PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy).

 

PIPAC is an alternative method to traditional chemotherapy, developed to treat cancers inside the abdominal cavity. In this article, we will take a closer look at what PIPAC treatment is, how it is applied, for which diseases it is effective, and what advantages it offers.

 

 

What Is PIPAC?

 

Simply put, PIPAC is the process of delivering chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity in a pressurized aerosol form. Normally, chemotherapy drugs are administered intravenously and spread throughout the body to shrink tumors. However, in abdominal cancers, it is difficult for chemotherapy to reach all affected areas effectively. This is where PIPAC comes into play.

 

In PIPAC treatment, chemotherapy drugs are transformed from liquid form into an aerosol and sprayed into the abdominal cavity under pressure. This ensures that the drugs reach the cancerous areas directly, making the treatment process much more effective.

 

 

Advantages of PIPAC Treatment

 

PIPAC offers several important benefits that make the treatment process more tolerable for patients:

 

1. Direct Effect

   The greatest advantage of PIPAC is that it delivers chemotherapy directly to the cancerous sites. In conventional chemotherapy, the drugs must circulate throughout the body, which often prevents them from reaching tumors effectively. PIPAC, however, sprays the drugs directly into the abdomen, offering a more targeted treatment.

2. Fewer Side Effects

   The systemic spread of chemotherapy drugs often causes severe side effects that can be challenging for patients. In PIPAC, the drugs act only within the abdominal cavity, meaning the rest of the body is less affected. This allows patients to undergo treatment with fewer side effects and greater comfort.

3. Repeatable Treatment

   PIPAC is a repeatable form of therapy. Being less invasive than other methods, it allows cancerous cells to be treated more efficiently over multiple sessions. Patients also tend to experience less discomfort during the process.

4. Effective in Advanced-Stage Cancers

   In advanced abdominal cancers, conventional treatments often fall short. PIPAC provides a more effective option at this stage by targeting the cancer directly, helping either to prevent its spread or reduce tumor size.

 

 

How Is PIPAC Administered?

 

PIPAC treatment is typically performed through a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The process includes the following steps:

 

1. Preparation: The patient is placed under anesthesia, and small incisions are made in the abdominal wall.

2. Chemotherapy Application: Using a pressurized system, chemotherapy drugs are converted into an aerosol and sprayed into the abdominal cavity.

3. Monitoring: After the procedure, the patient is monitored for a few days to assess the treatment’s effects.

 

 

Which Types of Cancer Can Be Treated with PIPAC?

 

PIPAC is particularly suitable for cancers that spread within the abdominal cavity. It is commonly used for:

 

• Peritoneal Cancer: Cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity.

• Ovarian Cancer: Often spreads within the abdomen.

• Stomach Cancer: Known to metastasize into the peritoneal cavity.

• Colon Cancer: Colon and rectal cancers may also spread to the abdominal cavity.

 

In these cancers, PIPAC can make chemotherapy more effective and improve the patient’s quality of life.

 

 

The Future of PIPAC

 

Although still a relatively new method, PIPAC has begun to yield promising results. While currently used in specific cancer types, it holds potential for a broader range of cancers in the future.

 

Another area of active research is combining PIPAC with other treatment approaches. When paired with immunotherapies or targeted therapies, PIPAC could potentially become effective against an even wider range of cancers.

 

 

Conclusion

 

PIPAC stands out as a treatment method with the potential to revolutionize cancer care. By offering a targeted and efficient way of applying chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity, it represents a promising option for patients, especially those with advanced-stage cancers.

 

With its ability to reduce side effects, improve quality of life, and deliver more effective results, PIPAC may play an important role in the future of cancer treatment.