At the AHN Cancer Institute, we understand that getting diagnosed with any cancer can impact you emotionally and physically. That's why our experts compassionately guide you through your treatment options — including groundbreaking procedures and therapies in addition to the standard of care.
A cancer diagnosis brings on challenging feelings and the need to act. When you seek care through the AHN Cancer Institute, you get connected with a team of experts dedicated to treating your specific type of cancer. When primary tumors spread within the abdomen, this is referred to as peritoneal carcinomatosis. Several tumor types can spread to the lining of the abdominopelvic cavity, called the peritoneum. These cancers can include:
Peritoneal carcinomatosis can be hard to treat with just regular chemotherapy. The condition can cause problems like not feeling hungry, pain, issues with wounds, not getting enough nutrition, and blocked bowels. Because of all these challenges, it needs a special treatment plan that involves a team of different doctors and nurses, focusing on both fighting the cancer and managing the symptoms to improve comfort.
CRS involves surgically removing all visible tumors and cancerous tissue from the abdominal cavity. The goal is to remove as much of the cancer as possible, and can include removing multiple organs. This can be a lengthy and complex surgery, often lasting many hours. Your AHN surgeon and care team are highly skilled and experienced in this procedure and understand the risks, complications, and emotions involved with this treatment option. They will be with you throughout your surgery, treatment, and recovery to help you achieve your best outcome.
In many cases, after the completion of cytoreductive surgery, a heated (hyperthermic) chemotherapy solution is circulated throughout the abdominal cavity for approximately 60 – 90 minutes. HIPEC is used to target the microscopic cells that cannot be surgically removed. The heat helps the chemotherapy drugs penetrate the remaining cancer cells more effectively and can also directly kill cancer cells. The chemotherapy drugs used are chosen based on the type of cancer being treated. After the HIPEC treatment, the chemotherapy solution is drained and the abdomen is closed.
AHN Cancer Institute specialists are experts in treating patients using both CRS and HIPEC. And we continue to identify more patients who could benefit from the procedure. When you choose our world-class cancer team, you get specialists who are national leaders in research and innovation. We work together to determine the most effective treatment for you.
CRS and HIPEC require a skilled surgical team and has a significant recovery period. There are two parts to the CRS and HIPEC procedures.
This involves surgically removing all visible tumors and cancerous tissue from the abdominal cavity. This can sometimes involve removing organs. The goal is to remove as much of the cancer as possible. This can be a lengthy and complex surgery, often lasting many hours. Your AHN surgeon and care team are highly skilled and experienced in this procedure and understand the emotions and risk. They will be with you throughout your surgery, treatment, and recovery to help you achieve your best outcome.
In many cases, after the completion of cytoreductive surgery, a heated (hyperthermic) chemotherapy solution is circulated throughout the abdominal cavity for approximately 60 – 90 minutes. HIPEC is used to target the microscopic cells that cannot be surgically removed. The heat helps the chemotherapy drugs penetrate the remaining cancer cells more effectively and can also directly kill cancer cells. The chemotherapy drugs used are chosen based on the type of cancer being treated. After the HIPEC treatment, the chemotherapy solution is drained and the abdomen is closed.
Following your surgery, your recovery and rehabilitation will begin. Everyone’s recovery will be different, but generally, patients stay in the hospital for 10 to 14 days after the procedure. The first few days can be spent in the ICU for close monitoring, and pain control is a priority to help you feel comfortable. Expect to receive pain medication, initially through IV and later transitioning to oral medications. It's important to communicate your pain levels to your AHN care team.
Once out of the ICU, you’ll be moved to a hospital room for the remainder of your stay. During this time, most patients will be encouraged to get out of bed, so they can slowly get some movement in by walking. This helps to prevent complications like pneumonia and blood clots.
For nutrition, your care team will monitor your intake at first using an IV to administer the proper hydration. Then, once your bowel function returns, you will slowly begin eating solid foods that will help aid in digestion. This process can take several days and is monitored by your AHN care team. If needed, alternative nutrition can be used for those who have trouble eating.
The abdominal incision requires careful monitoring. Be aware of potential complications like infection or bowel obstruction. Before discharge, you'll receive detailed instructions for home recovery, including medication, wound care, diet, and activity restrictions. At home, expect fatigue, continue managing pain, gradually increase activity, and attend all follow-up appointments. Remember that recovery takes time, and open communication with your medical team is crucial. AHN is here to help.
CRS/HIPEC is a powerful treatment, but it's important to be aware of potential side effects and complications. Not everyone experiences all of these, and the severity can vary. Your AHN team will closely monitor you and help manage any side effects or complications that do arise. Here’s what to expect:
HIPEC is a significant surgery and treatment that can offer significant benefits to treating cancer. Understanding all aspects of this procedure is an important part of deciding whether it is the right choice for you. Your AHN care team is your resource to answer all your questions. To help you get started, and provide you with trusted information, we’ve included answers to patients’ frequently asked questions.
Life expectancy after HIPEC surgery differs for everyone and depends on several factors, including the type and grade of the cancer, the extent of disease spread (volume/location/distribution), the completeness of cytoreductive surgery (CRS), and the patient's overall health. HIPEC is often used with the goal of improving long-term survival in patients with certain cancers that have spread to the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). While CRS/HIPEC can significantly improve survival rates for some patients, it is not a cure for cancer. Some patients may experience long-term remission, while others may have recurrence of the disease. Discussing your unique case and expectations with your AHN oncologist and surgical team will help you understand if HIPEC is a good option for you.
HIPEC treatment involves both cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and the HIPEC procedure itself, and pain levels can vary. The CRS portion, which involves removing tumors from the abdomen, is a major surgery and will result in post-operative pain. Pain is typically managed with pain medication, including IV medications initially, followed by oral pain relievers. The HIPEC procedure itself doesn't directly cause pain during the treatment because the patient is under anesthesia. However, the recovery period can be uncomfortable due to the effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and potential side effects. The medical team will prioritize pain control throughout your hospital stay and provide guidance on managing pain at home. Communicate openly with your medical team about your pain levels so they can adjust your pain management plan as needed.
Yes, cancer can come back after CRS/HIPEC surgery. While HIPEC, combined with cytoreductive surgery, aims to remove all visible cancer and treat microscopic disease in the abdomen, it does not guarantee a cure. There is always a risk of cancer recurrence, either in the peritoneum or in other parts of the body. The likelihood of recurrence depends on various factors, including the type and grade of cancer, the extent of the initial disease, the completeness of cytoreduction, and how well the cancer responded to treatment. Regular follow-up appointments, including imaging scans and blood tests, are crucial to monitor for any signs of recurrence. If cancer does return, further treatment options may be available.
Call 412-578-HOPE 412-578-4673 or request an appointment with one of our Cancer Institute experts.
