Heated chemotherapy can extend survival when cancer spread to abdomen

FOX CHASE (WPVI) -- HIPEC is an often overlooked form of chemotherapy, with a long track record. It's improving survival rates in some abdominal cancers, however, some patients and doctors may not know about it.

"We find a lot of patients who are diagnosed with metastatic cancer are often just deemed inoperable or not referred to a surgeon," says Dr. Stephanie Greco, a surgical oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Dr. Greco says some of these patients might benefit from HIPEC, which stands for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

"HIPEC is used for patients who have cancers of the appendix, colon, and rectum, and sometimes the stomach," Dr. Greco says.

It is also used for ovarian cancer and mesothelioma that's in the abdomen.

HIPEC is usually a 2-stage procedure, used when cancer spreads to the peritoneum - the abdominal lining. The first step is to surgically remove all the visible cancer.

"We then place catheters into the abdomen," she explains. "We infuse heated chemotherapy through a closed circuit into the abdomen and that circulates for approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The purpose of this is to kill any microscopic cells that we cannot see."

It's more targeted than IV chemo, because it doesn't go through the bloodstream. The drugs are in higher doses, and the heat puts them into cells more easily.

Dr. Greco says the heat doesn't damage internal organs, and overall, the side effects are similar to traditional chemotherapy.

"HIPEC definitely can improve recurrence rates and survival," she says.

For some cancers, up to 70% of patients receiving HIPEC are alive five and even 10 years later.

Dr. Greco says research is continually underway to improve HIPEC, including how chemo is delivered.

"Instead of giving chemotherapy liquid, in a liquid form, this is done through aerosolized method, like pressurized gas into the abdomen," she says.

Dr Greco says with patients living longer with metastatic cancer, more & more are eligible for HIPEC now, and will be in the future.