Cancers located in organs near the abdomen can sometimes spread to the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdominal cavity. Called peritoneal carcinomatosis, this rare cancer has been difficult to treat. But a new procedure, known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), has been shown to be very effective.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy also referred to as a chemo bath, is now being used at Holy Name Medical Center and a few other select hospitals nationwide to treat cancers from the appendix, colon, rectum, stomach, and ovaries that have spread to the abdominal cavity, as well as primary peritoneal cancers. Holy Name surgical oncologists have special training in HIPEC, which is a highly concentrated, heated chemotherapy that is delivered directly to the abdomen during surgery.

HIPEC allows for higher doses of drugs and doesn’t travel through the entire body like systemic chemotherapy. Heating the solution improves the absorption of chemotherapy drugs by tumors and helps destroy any microscopic cancer cells that might remain in the abdomen after surgery.

Benefits:

Allows for high doses of chemotherapy drugs
Improves absorption of chemotherapy drugs and helps destroy microscopic cancer cells that may remain after surgery
Doesn’t travel through the entire body, so it minimizes the exposure to chemotherapy medications
Reduces systemic chemotherapy side effects