Frequently Asked Questions
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HIPEC is done at the time of surgery to remove tumors from the abdomen. The treatment is only effective if the abdomen is free of tumors, so doctors decide during surgery whether a patient will receive the HIPEC treatment.
During HIPEC, doctors insert catheters – thin, flexible tubes – into the abdomen and pump chemotherapy drugs through the catheters, giving the abdomen a chemotherapy “bath.” The chemotherapy drugs are heated to a little over 100°F. This technique, also called “hot chemotherapy,” has been shown to be more effective in killing cancer cells.
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Many cancer treatments require patients to wait four to six weeks after surgery to start chemotherapy treatment. With HIPEC, the chemotherapy drugs can start killing cancer cells sooner, which has been shown to lead to better outcomes.
HIPEC can also deliver a high dose of heated chemotherapy directly to tissue where cancer typically grows or spreads. The treatment doesn’t have to fight through existing tumors to penetrate the tissue, and the heated drugs are more likely to kill the cancerous cells.
Unlike typical chemotherapy treatment that passes through the liver or kidneys to reach the abdomen, HIPEC avoids exposing other organs to harmful side effects.
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Because HIPEC is given during surgery, when consent isn’t possible, your doctor or care team will discuss with you whether you’re a good candidate for the treatment and get your consent for treatment prior to your surgery. You will not need to prepare any differently for the surgery.
In many cases, your doctor can use imaging tests before surgery to determine whether they will be able to remove all of the tumors and use HIPEC. However, it is not always possible to know if the surgeon will be able to remove all the tumors and proceed with the treatment.
HIPEC should not affect your recovery from surgery. However, you may experience some normal chemotherapy side effects after the treatment, including nausea and fatigue.
Depending on your diagnosis, you may need to undergo additional chemotherapy treatments after HIPEC. These treatments usually start four to six weeks after surgery.
Who are the experts on HIPEC?
Miami Cancer Institute has highly skilled specialists who have extensive experience using HIPEC treatments. Each member of your cancer team will collaborate closely to determine whether this treatment option is right for you.
Who are the experts on HIPEC?
Gynecologic Oncologists
Radiation Oncologists
FACT Accredited
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute is proud that our Blood & Marrow Stem Cell Transplant Program is fully FACT Accredited for stem cell transplants and cellular therapies.
This accreditation means we are certified to perform stem cell transplants and cellular therapies such as CAR T-cell therapies within our Institute. Additionally, this recognition allows our team to obtain full insurance coverage for these procedures from all providers. For more information on FACT Accreditation, you can visit the foundation’s website.