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De HIPEC Is Een Zware Ingreep, Waarbij De Kans Op Complicaties Bestaat. U Verblijft Na De Operatie Enkele Dagen Op De Intensive Care.
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  4. Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. The treatment can be used to treat colon cancer that has spread to the peritoneum, the protective membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity. Your surgeon will remove all visible tumors and affected parts of the peritoneum. Afterwards the stomach will be rinsed with chemotherapy to treat any cancer cells left behind.

The chemotherapy is delivered directly into the abdominal cavity where the tumor cells are, increasing its effectiveness. The local delivery allows us to prevent damage to other organs and minimize side effects by keeping the majority of the chemotherapy out of the bloodstream. It is more effective because it allows us to heat up the chemotherapy and deliver a higher dosage.

HIPEC is an intensive, local treatment available to people whose cancer has not spread outside of the abdominal cavity.

More information

HIPEC - what to expect?

You will be under general anesthesia during the procedure. Your surgeon will make a long incision in the abdomen at the midline, reaching from the sternum to the pubic bone. Your surgeon will remove all visible tumor tissue as well as any affected parts of the peritoneum. Depending on where the cancer has spread to, your surgeon may have to remove (sections of) the small or large intestine, stomach, or other organs in the gastrointestinal tract.

Once all tissue has been removed, your surgeon will pull up the abdominal walls into a ring above the stomach, creating a basin which will be rinsed with 5 liters of chemotherapy. This will ensure that all microscopic tumor cells that are invisible to the naked eye are removed.  

How effective is HIPEC?

HIPEC aims to extend your lifespan while guaranteeing a good quality of life. A successful HIPEC procedure has a survival rate of 50% after 5 years, and 20% after 10 years (data from 2010)

The progression of the disease dictates the survival rate. Survival rates decrease significantly if we were unable to remove all visible metastases. Absolute recovery is not (yet) feasible. HIPEC is very effective in the treatment of pseudomyxoma peritonei. Survival chances of people with this cancer type is 70% in 10 years. 

Side effects and complications

HIPEC is an intense treatment form, and can cause complications. The exact effects you will experience depend on the treatment, which in turn depends on the stage of your illness and the amount of metastases. Some people may experience anastomotic leaks or infections. Many patients also experience gastrointestinal mobility problems directly after the procedure.

After your surgery

You will stay at the Intensive Care department for a few days following your surgery, after which you can continue to recover on a regular ward. You will have to stay at the hospital for approximately 2 weeks. Your stomach will be recovered after this period, so you will be able to eat regular food. If your primary tumor developed in the colon, you may need an additional 6 months of chemotherapy. 

 

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