HIPEC surgery

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or HIPEC, is an aggressive, highly effective treatment where chemotherapy medication is delivered during cancer surgery. Aurora Health Care is one of very few high-volume programs in the country that use this innovative delivery system to treat cancers in the abdominal cavity.

What is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery?

The HIPEC delivery method allows chemo to treat any cancer cells that aren’t visible to your surgeon. Normally, chemo circulates through your whole body in your bloodstream but can’t pass the lining of your abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum. With HIPEC, surgeons can apply chemo directly to the affected organs and cells. HIPEC won’t cure your cancer, but this treatment may help you live longer.

What happens during a HIPEC procedure?

HIPEC surgery starts with cytoreduction, or removing all the visible cancers in the abdominal area. Once complete, a chemotherapy drug is heated and added to the abdominal cavity – research shows some chemo treatments are especially cytotoxic, or lethal to cancer cells, when hot. It’s allowed to circulate for about an hour, then the chemo medication is drained and the surgical incision is closed.

When is HIPEC used?

HIPEC treatment is typically used once cancer has metastasized (spread) in the abdomen. It’s usually recommended when your cancer is in an advanced stage, as HIPEC is a specialized, direct treatment that isn’t used in early stages of disease.

When HIPEC was developed in the 1990s, it was used as a treatment for a rare cancer of the appendix. Since then, HIPEC surgery has expanded and is now used for:

• Cancer of the appendix
• Cancer of the small intestine
• Colon or rectal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Gynecologic cancers, including uterine cancer and ovarian cancer
• Peritoneal mesothelioma
• Some hepatobiliary (HPB) cancers, including liver cancer and pancreatic cancer 
• Some rare forms of sarcoma

What are the benefits of HIPEC?

HIPEC is a highly specialized treatment that allows chemo medication to kill cancer cells where traditional chemotherapy can’t usually reach.

More benefits include:

• A strong, direct application of chemo, which is more effective at killing cancer
• Fewer treatments, as HIPEC is a single treatment compared to rounds of traditional chemo
• Fewer side effects, as the chemo is mostly contained in your abdominal cavity

What are the side effects and risks of HIPEC?

The chemotherapy side effects of HIPEC are similar to the side effects of chemotherapy delivered by other methods. You may also experience a leak from the intestines, pancreas inflammation, kidney failure or a decrease in bone marrow.

HIPEC surgery risks are similar to any surgery, which could include infection and excessive bleeding. And even after you’ve received HIPEC treatment, your cancer can come back. Still, using HIPEC can extend your life expectancy and result in fewer symptoms. Talk with your care team about your prognosis and whether HIPEC is appropriate for you.

Why you should turn to Aurora for HIPEC in Milwaukee

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center is one of a few health systems in the U.S. that offers HIPEC and just one of four centers in Wisconsin. We’ve performed almost 300 HIPEC procedures in Milwaukee to date.

Additionally, our pancreatic cancer program – which incorporates HIPEC surgery into some treatments – is nationally recognized for its high standards by the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF). Aurora St. Luke’s was the first hospital in Wisconsin to earn this honor.

• Expert doctors: Our doctors are board-certified, and many have advanced training in cancer care.
• Team approach: Specialists from related fields such as surgical oncology work closely together to develop the right treatment plan for you. You can often meet with all the right experts in a single visit so you can start treatment sooner.
• Support every step of the way: You and your loved ones can get extra help with symptoms and emotional support through Aurora’s cancer support services.