There are multiple ways a doctor could choose to administer chemotherapy medications to a mesothelioma patient. Some are more effective than others. Still, other ways are being tested in clinical trials. Chemotherapy is a standard treatment option for cancer patients and can be given alone or in conjunction with other anti-cancer therapies. One way a doctor could perform the procedure is by utilizing heat in a process called HIPEC chemotherapy. Also known as Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, it’s sometimes used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Mesothelioma cells divide and multiply rapidly, much faster than healthy cells in the body. When cells replicate quickly, the process often leads to cancerous growths, or tumors. Doctors treat mesothelioma patients with chemotherapy medications that either slow cell division or disrupt it entirely. Depending on the patient’s unique condition, a doctor may administer chemotherapy in two different ways:
Systemically: The medication is delivered intravenously or as a pill. This method isn’t as invasive but can destroy both cancerous and healthy cells, causing adverse side effects.
Intraoperatively: Treatment is delivered directly to the affected parts of the body during surgery. Intrapleural chemotherapy and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are the two most common forms of intraoperative chemotherapy.
In some cases, doctors will perform a series of tests to determine the most effective treatment options for a patient. Recommendations usually depend on cancer stage, a patient’s general health, and medical history.
Some types of cancer are easier to treat than others, depending on the location of the tumors. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, and reaching that area may be a challenge. In this situation, delivering chemotherapy systemically, or intravenously, may not be as effective.
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is one option for peritoneal mesothelioma patients. During HIPEC, a chemotherapy ‘wash’ is administered intraoperatively, offering a more targeted approach to destroying cancer cells, with fewer side effects. Once a surgeon has removed all visible lesions and tumors, a heated chemotherapy solution is applied inside the abdomen, killing any remaining microscopic cancer cells.
Ultimately, your doctor will determine if this treatment is the best course of action. Factors that disqualify a patient include:
After the doctor has reviewed the patient and established eligibility for treatment, the next steps in the HIPEC chemotherapy process include:
Before receiving HIPEC chemotherapy, a patient must undergo cytoreductive surgery to remove visible cancerous tumors within the abdomen.
During the “bath” process, the doctor surgically administers chemotherapy drugs directly into the patient’s abdominal cavity, or intraperitoneally. The solution is hyperthermic or heated to around 105 degrees. The surgeon will then circulate the sterile solution throughout the peritoneal cavity for approximately two hours to kill any remaining cancerous cells.
The recovery process after cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC can take several weeks, and patients may notice extreme fatigue for two or three months. Rest is essential during recovery, but patients must also balance it with mild physical activity. Doctors usually advise patients to continue doing activities they enjoy, while sticking to their predetermined goals. This way, patients see how far they’ve come in the healing process, which fosters a more positive outlook.
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HIPEC chemotherapy offers some advantages for peritoneal mesothelioma patients, including:
While the side effects of HIPEC chemotherapy are less severe than other types of chemo, a patient may still experience adverse side effects, such as:
Because cytoreductive surgery is complex and HIPEC specialists are limited, only a few hospitals and treatment centers offer this procedure. Fortunately, resources are available to help patients find the nearest HIPEC treatment centers. It’s as simple as entering a zip code and search radius.
If you’re receiving treatment for mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses. Complete a free case evaluation today.
Jennifer Verta thrives as a digital content writer at Mesothelioma Hub. She has been producing content for clients since before she graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Minor in English Writing. Jen’s mission is to help promote awareness of mesothelioma to as many people as possible by providing only the most up-to-date and accurate content available. When she isn’t cranking the gears at work, Jen can be found snowboarding, hiking, catching live music, or socializing with friends.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America. (2019). Regional Therapies. Retrieved on August 13, 2019, from https://cancercenter.com/treatment-options/chemotherapy/regional-therapies
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HIPEC Treatment. (2017). The HIPEC Procedure. Retrieved on August 13, 2019, from https://hipectreatment.com/the-hipec-procedure/
Geert S. A., et al. (2017). Patient selection for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for the treatment of peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer. Retrieved on August 13, 2019, from https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5501638/
Tufts Medical Center. (2019). HIPEC Surgery – What to Expect. Retrieved on August 13, 2019, from: https://tuftsmedicalcenter.org/patient-care-services/Departments-and-Services/Cancer-Center/Clinical-Care-Services/Peritoneal-Surface-Malignancy-Program/What-to-Expect-After-HIPEC-Surgery#targetText=What%20is%20the%20HIPEC%20surgery,remain%20as%20active%20as%20possible