🔥 HIPEC Surgery for Peritoneal Mesothelioma Patients

For patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, one of the most effective and life-extending treatments is HIPEC — short for Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. This specialized procedure combines surgery with heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdomen, targeting cancer cells more precisely while minimizing harm to the rest of the body.

HIPEC has revolutionized how doctors treat abdominal mesothelioma, offering improved survival rates and quality of life for many patients.

📞 Need help right now? Call 800.291.0963 for free answers and guidance today.

🏥 Step 1: What Is HIPEC Surgery?

HIPEC (Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is a two-part treatment designed to remove visible tumors and destroy any remaining microscopic cancer cells in the abdomen.

The process includes:

• 🔪 Cytoreductive Surgery: The surgeon removes all visible tumors from the abdominal cavity.

• 💉 Heated Chemotherapy Bath: After surgery, a heated chemotherapy solution (typically 104°F or 41°C) is circulated directly through the abdomen for 60–120 minutes.

Why it works:
The heat enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs, helping them penetrate deeper into tissues while reducing systemic side effects compared to traditional IV chemotherapy.

🧠 Step 2: How HIPEC Targets Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum), making localized treatment critical. HIPEC is uniquely effective because it:

• 🎯 Delivers chemotherapy directly where the cancer exists.

• 💪 Destroys residual cancer cells left after tumor removal.

• 💨 Minimizes exposure of healthy organs to toxic chemicals.

• 🕒 Offers long-term disease control and improved survival potential.

Result:
Patients often experience longer remission times, fewer side effects, and better post-surgical outcomes compared to systemic chemotherapy alone.

🩺 Step 3: Who Qualifies for HIPEC

HIPEC isn’t suitable for every mesothelioma patient — it’s most effective for those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma whose disease has not spread extensively outside the abdominal cavity.

You may qualify if you:

• ✅ Have peritoneal mesothelioma confined to the abdomen.

• 💪 Are in good overall health and able to tolerate major surgery.

• 🧬 Have limited tumor spread that can be fully or mostly removed.

• 🧠 Have been evaluated by a specialized HIPEC surgical team.

Tip: Patients should be referred to a cancer center experienced in HIPEC for proper evaluation and care planning.

⚙️ Step 4: The HIPEC Procedure — Step-by-Step

1. Cytoreductive Surgery:
Surgeons remove all visible tumors from the abdominal cavity, sometimes taking several hours.

2. Heated Chemotherapy Circulation:

• The abdomen is filled with a heated chemotherapy solution.

• The fluid is gently circulated for 1–2 hours to reach all abdominal surfaces.

• Afterward, the solution is drained and the incision is closed.

3. Post-Procedure Recovery:
Patients spend several days in intensive monitoring, followed by physical rehabilitation and follow-up scans.

Goal:
To achieve maximum tumor removal with minimal toxicity to the rest of the body.

💊 Step 5: Common Chemotherapy Drugs Used in HIPEC

The type of chemotherapy used depends on the patient’s specific diagnosis and health status.

Frequently used drugs include:

• 💉 Cisplatin — A powerful platinum-based drug effective against mesothelioma cells.

• 🧪 Mitomycin C — Often paired with cisplatin for increased potency.

• ⚕️ Doxorubicin or Oxaliplatin — Used in certain treatment centers as alternative or combined agents.

Why heated chemo works better:
Heat increases blood flow and cellular permeability, allowing the drugs to penetrate deeper into tumor tissue while boosting cancer cell death.

🧬 Step 6: Benefits and Outcomes of HIPEC

HIPEC offers both survival and quality-of-life benefits for many patients.

Key advantages:

• 🌟 Extended survival — some studies show 5-year survival rates exceeding 50%.

• 💨 Reduced recurrence due to direct tumor contact.

• 💪 Improved symptom relief, including abdominal pain and swelling.

• 🧘 Better recovery potential than full-body chemotherapy.

Why it’s transformative:
HIPEC can turn what was once a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition, especially when performed by experienced specialists.

🧠 Step 7: Recovery and Follow-Up Care

Hospital stay:
Most patients remain in the hospital for 10–14 days after surgery for monitoring and healing.

Recovery timeline:

• 🩹 Full recovery may take 6–8 weeks.

• 🥗 Nutrition, light exercise, and physical therapy aid recovery.

• 🩺 Regular scans ensure the cancer has not returned.

Supportive care includes:

• Pain management and infection prevention.

• Emotional and nutritional counseling.

• Follow-up appointments with your surgical and oncology team.

🌎 Step 8: Where to Receive HIPEC Treatment

Only specialized cancer centers and surgeons perform HIPEC due to its complexity.

Top HIPEC centers in the U.S. include:

• 🏥 MD Anderson Cancer Center (Texas)

• 🏥 University of Chicago Medicine (Illinois)

• 🏥 Mayo Clinic (Minnesota)

• 🏥 Brigham & Women’s Hospital (Massachusetts)

• 🏥 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York)

Why it matters:
These facilities have experienced multidisciplinary teams who can perform HIPEC safely and provide personalized post-surgery care.

🤝 Where to Get Help

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, you may qualify for HIPEC treatment.
Our advocates can connect you with leading HIPEC specialists, treatment centers, and financial assistance resources to support your recovery.

📞 Call 800.291.0963 to speak with a Mesothelioma Help Center advocate today.

🧭 Summary

HIPEC surgery is one of the most effective treatments for peritoneal mesothelioma, combining precise tumor removal with heated chemotherapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
This innovative procedure improves survival, reduces recurrence, and offers new hope for patients diagnosed with abdominal mesothelioma.

You are not alone — expert help and advanced treatment options are only one call away.
800.291.0963