Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC
The standard surgical approach for peritoneal mesothelioma patients is cytoreduction combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This treatment option is mainly available at specialized cancer centers that have expertise treating peritoneal mesothelioma and other rare cancers.
Cytoreduction is an extensive open surgery. The goal of the procedure is to remove as much of the cancer from the lining of the abdominal cavity as possible. Surgeons will explore the entire area and nearby organs—including the liver, spleen, stomach, gallbladder, and bowel—to clear them of disease.
Most patients eligible for cytoreduction will receive HIPEC as well. During this procedure, a surgeon bathes the abdominal cavity with heated chemotherapy drugs, which helps eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Cytoreduction and HIPEC have added years to the life expectancy of many peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
Systemic Chemotherapy
Systemic chemotherapy involves the use of medication to destroy cancer cells and is circulated throughout the body via the bloodstream.
Systemic chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma is not considered curative, but it can help shrink tumors and slow the growth of cancer. It may also be administered to treat and relieve painful symptoms when surgery is not an option.
“With the volume of peritoneal mesothelioma cases we see at Fox Chase, we have a high level of experience and take pride in matching patients to the appropriate treatments for their specific disease.”
— Sanjay S. Reddy, MD, FACS, Surgical Oncologist