Below is an animation of the HIPEC procedure.
During the HIPEC procedure, the surgeon will continuously circulate a heated sterile solution containing a chemotherapeutic agent throughout the peritoneal cavity, for a maximum of two hours. The HIPEC procedure is designed to attempt to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Giving the chemotherapy in the abdomen at the time of surgery allows for greater concentrations of the drug where it is needed. Adding heat has a threefold advantage:
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Heat at 42 degrees Celsius kills cancer cells while not affecting normal cells.
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Heat makes the killing effect of the chemotherapy more powerful.
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Heat softens the tumor nodules so the penetration of the chemotherapy into the tumor is enhanced.
The procedure also improves drug absorption and effect with minimal exposure to the rest of the body. In this way, the normal side effects of chemotherapy can be avoided.
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