HIPEC: A New Hope in Abdominal Cancers

Prof.Dr. Ünal Aydın
Sep 19
4 min read

Introduction
What Is HIPEC?
The HIPEC Application Process
Advantages of HIPEC Treatment
Cancer Types Where HIPEC Treatment Is Applied
Comparison of HIPEC with Other Cancer Treatment Methods
Side Effects and Risks of HIPEC
The Success Rate of HIPEC Treatment
The Future of HIPEC Treatment
Conclusion

1. Introduction

Cancer treatment is one of the biggest challenges in modern medicine. Traditional treatment methods typically include approaches like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, in some types of cancer, these treatment methods may not be sufficient. It is especially difficult to contain the spread and destroy treatment-resistant tumors that affect organs within the abdomen. This is where HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) comes in. HIPEC has become more widespread as a revolutionary method in the treatment of abdominal cancers.

2. What Is HIPEC?

HIPEC, or Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, is a term composed of the initials of the words. This treatment involves delivering a heated chemotherapy drug directly into the abdomen after surgical intervention to clean out cancerous tissue. Essentially, after tumors are surgically removed, a high-temperature chemotherapy drug is injected into the abdominal cavity. The heat of this drug helps to destroy cancer cells because they are highly sensitive to high temperatures. HIPEC directly affects cancerous tissues while carrying a low risk of harming healthy tissue.

3. The HIPEC Application Process

HIPEC treatment usually consists of a two-stage process. The first stage is the surgical removal of the cancerous area. The surgeon removes the cancerous tumors and their spread as thoroughly as possible. Afterward, the heated chemotherapy drug is delivered into the patient's abdominal cavity. This stage can take several minutes, and a temperature between 40-42 degrees Celsius (104-107.6°F) is typically used. The chemotherapy drug is circulated within the abdominal cavity for several minutes and then drained out. This way, cancer cells are directly targeted with the chemotherapy drug.

4. Advantages of HIPEC Treatment

HIPEC offers many advantages over traditional chemotherapy treatments. The most important ones include:

High Effectiveness: Because it is applied directly to the area where the tumors are located, the chemotherapy drug acts on cancer cells more directly.
Fewer Side Effects: Since it does not spread throughout the body, it does not harm healthy tissues, and the risk of systemic side effects is much lower.
Enhanced Effect with Heat: The heat increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy, providing a more potent treatment.
Improved Recovery: HIPEC treatment can allow for a faster recovery for patients because it is a direct intervention targeting cancerous tissues.

5. Cancer Types Where HIPEC Treatment Is Applied

HIPEC treatment is generally used for cancer types in the abdominal region. The most common of these cancer types are:

Peritoneal Cancers: Cancers that occur in the abdominal lining.
Colon Cancer: When colon cancer has peritoneal spread, HIPEC can be highly effective.
Stomach Cancer: The spread of stomach cancers can also be treated with HIPEC.
Pancreatic Cancer: HIPEC treatment can be applied in cases where pancreatic cancers show spread within the abdomen.
Liver Cancer: HIPEC can be used for the spread of liver cancer within the abdomen.

6. Comparison of HIPEC with Other Cancer Treatment Methods

HIPEC offers several significant advantages compared to other traditional treatment methods:

Chemotherapy: While traditional chemotherapy spreads throughout the body, HIPEC acts directly on the tumors. Therefore, HIPEC's side effects are much fewer.
Radiotherapy: While radiotherapy can cause widespread effects on the body, HIPEC is effective directly on the target organ.
Surgical Intervention: Surgical intervention is used to limit the spread of cancer, but HIPEC helps destroy remaining cancer cells by targeting them after surgery.

7. Side Effects and Risks of HIPEC

Like any medical treatment, HIPEC has some side effects and risks. However, these risks usually arise during the surgical intervention. Common side effects include:

Infection: There is always a risk of infection after a surgical procedure.
Bleeding: Bleeding can occur after HIPEC treatment, but it is usually controlled.
Diarrhea and Nausea: Due to the side effects of the chemotherapy drug, some patients may experience diarrhea or nausea.
Bowel Obstruction: Blockages can occur as a result of the bowels being affected during treatment.

8. The Success Rate of HIPEC Treatment

The success rate of HIPEC treatment depends on many factors, such as the patient's general health, the stage of the cancer, and the response to treatment. However, when applied to the right patients, HIPEC can help prevent cancer recurrence. Effective results are obtained, especially in the treatment of peritoneal cancers. The success rate is directly related to the treatment process and the success of the surgery.

9. The Future of HIPEC Treatment

HIPEC treatment has created an important revolution in the treatment of abdominal cancers and is expected to become even more widespread in the future. Technological advancements can make the treatment process more effective and further reduce side effects. New protocols and treatment methods are being developed to apply HIPEC to a broader group of patients.

10. Conclusion

HIPEC stands out as a promising treatment option for cancers within the abdomen. The heated chemotherapy applied directly to the cancerous area plays a significant role in destroying tumors. Considering the advantages, side effects, and success rates of HIPEC, this treatment method is expected to be used more widely in the future. As a result, HIPEC treatment can be an important turning point in cancer treatment and can significantly improve patients' quality of life.

This article has discussed HIPEC treatment in detail, covering all its aspects. This method, which offers new hope in cancer treatment, can yield effective results, especially in cancers that develop in abdominal organs.