Overview
Over the years, cancer treatment has evolved with the advent of new technologies and techniques. HIPEC treatment is an advanced and highly specialised cancer treatment used for certain abdominal cancers like cancers of the stomach, appendix, ovary, colon and those that have spread within the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
It combines two powerful approaches, surgical removal of visible tumours and targeted heated chemotherapy, to improve treatment outcomes. HIPEC is especially valuable for patients who may not benefit fully from conventional chemotherapy alone.
At Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, one of the top cancer care centres in India, this procedure is performed by a dedicated team of surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and critical care experts. We are one of the city’s very few hospitals to offer this treatment.
The focus is not only on treating the disease but also on ensuring patient comfort, safety, and long-term recovery.
What is HIPEC?
HIPEC stands for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, an advanced cancer treatment for abdominal cancers. It is a combination of treatment given immediately after cancer surgery, where a warm chemotherapy solution is circulated directly inside the abdominal cavity.
Unlike traditional chemotherapy that travels through the bloodstream and affects the whole body, HIPEC works locally and doesn’t affect the entire bloodstream. This allows doctors to deliver a higher concentration of chemotherapy directly to the affected area while limiting side effects on other organs.
The use of heat (usually around 41–43°C) further enhances the effectiveness of the chemotherapy, helping it penetrate deeper into tissues and destroy microscopic cancer cells that cannot be seen during surgery.
How Does HIPEC Work?
The best hospital for cancer in Delhi NCR brings a highly experienced team of cancer doctors and staff that offer end-to-end care. The team of multidisciplinary experts plan a personalised and safe HIPEC procedure for the patients. HIPEC involves two main stages:
The first step for HIPEC involves surgical removal of all visible cancer deposits from the abdominal cavity by the best cancer surgeons in Faridabad. This may include removing parts of affected organs such as the intestine, appendix, or ovaries, depending on the extent of disease spread. The goal is to leave behind as little visible cancer as possible.
Once the tumours are removed with surgery, a heated chemotherapy solution is circulated inside the abdomen using a specialised machine under the supervision of experts. This process typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. The process involves:
- Insertion of a catheter through a cut (incision) in the belly: The doctors insert a catheter inside the belly, which is connected to a machine that heats the chemotherapy to about 108 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius).
- Delivering the chemotherapy drugs: The machine pumps the heated chemotherapy drugs through the catheter and into the patient’s belly.
- Distribution of the chemotherapy: The doctors may gently move the body from side to side to ensure the chemotherapy washes over the abdominal cavity. (just like rinsing a bowl by tilting it side to side.)
- Draining the chemotherapy drugs: Once the drugs wash over the cavity, doctors then drain them out from the peritoneal cavity (a thin, fluid-filled space inside the abdomen that lies between two layers of a lining called the peritoneum. These layers wrap around and support many abdominal organs.). After removing the chemotherapy drugs, doctors rinse the belly with saline.
- Closing of the incisions: At last, the cancer surgeons close any cuts made during cytoreductive surgery or HIPEC. At Sarvodaya, the leading cancer surgeons in Delhi NCR perform both traditional and minimally invasive cancer surgeries that require smaller incicsions, leading to less pain and less trauma to the patient.
What Cancers Can HIPEC Treat?
HIPEC is used for cancers that are confined to the abdominal cavity or have spread to the peritoneal lining. This cancer treatment technique is most commonly recommended for:
- Ovarian Cancer
- Appendix Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- colorectal Cancer
- Adrenal Cancer
- Rare Abdominal Cancers
Benefits of Cancer Treatment with the HIPEC Technique
HIPEC offers several advantages compared to traditional cancer treatments:
- Targeted Treatment: Chemotherapy is delivered directly to the affected area, increasing effectiveness.
- Reach the Impermeable Areas: HIPEC allows the drugs to reach those areas where normal systemic chemotherapy can’t normally reach, like the peritoneum barrier(a membrane that lines your abdominal cavity). HIPEC bypasses that barrier and kills cancer cells directly.
- Higher Drug (High-dose) Concentration: The heat makes the chemotherapy drugs more toxic for cancer. These drugs can penetrate the tumours, killing the cancer cells inside them without affecting the entire body.
- Reduced Side Effects: Since the drugs directly target the cancer cells, unlike systemic chemotherapy that spreads through the entire bloodstream, the body experiences fewer side effects and toxicity.
- Single-Session Therapy: HIPEC is often performed in one sitting, reducing the need for multiple chemotherapy cycles.
- Improved Survival Outcomes: In selected patients, HIPEC has shown better long-term survival rates
Cancer Technology and Expertise
Sarvodaya Cancer Institute, recognised among the leading cancer hospitals in India, brings advanced facilities and technologies for cancer care. HIPEC is a complex procedure that requires advanced infrastructure and a highly skilled medical team. At Sarvodaya Hospital, the treatment is supported by:
- Modern operating theatres equipped for long-duration cancer surgeries
- Specialised HIPEC delivery systems with precise temperature control
- Experienced surgical oncologists trained in cytoreductive procedures
- Dedicated ICU and post-operative care units
- Advanced PET Scan for accurate and precise cancer screening
- Multidisciplinary tumour boards for personalised treatment planning
Each case is evaluated carefully to ensure that HIPEC is the right choice for the patient, balancing benefits with overall health and recovery potential.
Why Choose Sarvodaya for HIPEC?
Choosing the right hospital is critical for complex treatments. Sarvodaya Hospital stands out as a trusted centre for cancer care due to:
- Experienced cancer specialists and robotic surgeons in Delhi NCR
- Patient-centric infrastructure with all modern technologies and modalities, including Versa HD 6D Couch LINAC for advanced radiation therapy, PET scan and digital mammography for precise cancer diagnosis, smart surgical robot for minimally invasive cancer surgeries and more
- Comprehensive cancer care, from diagnosis to surgery, chemotherapy, recovery and follow-up
- Personalised treatment plans tailored to each patient
- Tumour Board with a multidisciplinary team of senior doctors
- Strong track record in managing complex cancers
This integrated approach ensures that patients receive not just treatment but complete care throughout their journey.
