- June 30, 2021
- Posted by: dramitgandhi
- Category: HIPEC Surgery in Mumbai
Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women. However, if detected early, 90% of such cases can get cured.
Despite major advancements in chemotherapy, the overall chance of chemotherapy being curative is still low, and the side effects are difficult for the patient to endure. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common and deadliest types of cancer. Fortunately, Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a major advancement made in cancer treatment and has gained positive response worldwide, making it one of the best surgery for women suffering from ovarian cancer.
What is HIPEC?
HIPEC stands for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. It refers to a cancer treatment that pumps warm chemotherapy drugs into the patient’s abdomen. A large dose of chemotherapy may get prescribed in some cases, but it’s not toxic because the drugs aren’t injected into the direct bloodstream. Instead, the chemotherapy drugs are heated to about 106-109 degrees Fahrenheit. Cancer cells can’t handle such an amount of heat as well as healthy cells. The heat also helps the drugs enter the cancer cells more easily to destroy them effectively.
HIPEC is major surgery. Therefore, the patient needs to spend some time at the hospital for an effective healing process.
The importance of HIPEC Surgery
Surgery is the cornerstone of treatment for ovarian cancer. Its major goal is to remove as many tumors as possible. This process is termed debulking surgery, called HIPEC surgery.
Research declares that HIPEC surgery using chemotherapy drugs can be considered for debulking surgery for stage III epithelial ovarian cancer patients. In addition, the guidelines, and the research supporting them, states that HIPEC can become a promising procedure for many advanced and complex diseases.
HIPEC procedure is highly sophisticated. Immediately after the tumor or cancerous lesions are removed, a highly concentrated, heated dose of chemotherapy is transferred directly to the abdomen, targeting the critical treatment area. This local delivery and subsequent removal of the drug reduce chemotherapy exposure to the rest of the body, eliminating the risks and side effects. Some other benefits of this surgery include:
- The patient receives a higher dose of chemotherapy.
- Heating the solution increases the rate of destruction of cancer cells
- HIPEC surgery also help destroy microscopic cancer cells present in the abdomen region post-surgery
Patients who fit the criteria for this treatment respond well. Experts believe it is a promising development in medical science and new hope to help cancer patients live a long and quality life.
Final Thoughts
As with any cancer, the type of chemotherapy, the specific combination of medicine, and the methods used to administer the drugs depend on various factors, including the type and stage of ovarian cancer, the patient’s overall health, and potential treatment-related side effects.
HIPEC is an invasive treatment and is not recommended for every cancer patient. If the patient requires this surgery, they should work closely with an integrative care team trained in supportive care services to help manage side effects and improve the overall quality of life after the treatment.
Patients should first talk to their trusted doctor before choosing the best treatment course. The doctor will evaluate and examine the patient’s entire medical history, perform a few tests, and accordingly suggest the best-suited treatment.
Looking for an oncologist who can perform the best HIPEC surgery in Mumbai? Get expert solutions by Dr. Amit Gandhi – a well-renowned oncologist and expert surgeon in Mumbai.