Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Most colorectal cancers start in the inner surface of the bowel wall, in some cases it can spread to the abdominal cavity and affect the surface which is called the peritoneum. Traditional treatment of the cancer that affects the peritoneum has not been very effective. HIPEC treatment is an innovative treatment that aims to treat the cancer of the peritoneum and has been effective for some patients.

Surgery has not traditionally been used with the intention of curing cancer once it has spread to the peritoneum. However there is evidence that if the size and spread of the cancer is limited then a specialised surgical technique can be used. This is called ‘Cytoreductive Surgery’ and removes all the evident cancer, this may involve major surgery to remove organs in the abdomen and peritoneum.

If your surgeon is able to remove most or all of the cancer, then heated chemotherapy drugs are put into the abdomen to kill anycancer cells that are not visible. This process is known as HIPEC and helps to destroy any cancer cells that can’t be seen but could go on to develop into further tumours.