Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Learn more about how we use HIPEC to treat some peritoneal surface malignancies. 

Overview

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a very specialized surgical technique that is used to treat some cases of cancer.

What to expect

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is chemotherapy that is given directly into the abdominal cavity. 

A surgeon will try to remove as much of the cancer as possible before inserting a tube into the abdomen. This tube is used to administer chemotherapy after the surgery.  

The chemotherapy is warmed above body temperature. This makes it easier for the chemotherapy medication to get into tissue that may be lined with cancer cells.

This procedure is called hyperthermic (or heated) intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). 

Once the chemotherapy is completed, the tube is removed.