R R

What Is Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy?

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a cancer treatment in which heated chemotherapy is circulated directly through the abdominal cavity during an operation. It is commonly abbreviated HIPEC. The treatment is usually delivered after cytoreductive surgery has removed as much visible peritoneal tumor as safely possible. Heating the chemotherapy and placing it directly against peritoneal surfaces allows a high local drug exposure while limiting some of the systemic exposure associated with intravenous chemotherapy.

Link to This Resource Page

Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.

To display this...

What Is Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy?

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a cancer treatment in which heated chemotherapy is circulated directly through the abdominal cavity during an operation. It is commonly abbreviated HIPEC. The treatment is usually delivered after cytoreductive surgery has removed as much visible peritoneal tumor as safely possible. Heating the chemotherapy and placing it directly against peritoneal surfaces allows a high local drug exposure while limiting some of the systemic exposure associated with intravenous chemotherapy.

read more about hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy ...

Copy this HTML:

Copy HTML Copied!

Why Is Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Performed?

HIPEC is used for carefully selected cancers that have spread to the peritoneum, including certain appendiceal, colorectal, ovarian, mesothelioma, and other peritoneal surface malignancies. Its role and expected benefit differ substantially by cancer type, disease burden, completeness of cytoreduction, chemotherapy regimen, and patient fitness. The treatment is most appropriate when a specialized multidisciplinary team believes visible disease can be reduced sufficiently and the patient can tolerate a major abdominal operation. HIPEC is not a universal treatment for all peritoneal metastases, and current evidence supports some indications more strongly than others.

How Is Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Performed?

After cytoreductive surgery, inflow and outflow catheters are placed so a chemotherapy solution can circulate through the abdominal cavity. The solution is heated and continuously circulated for a protocol-defined period while the abdomen is gently agitated or otherwise managed to improve contact with peritoneal surfaces. Drug choice, temperature, concentration, and perfusion duration vary according to the cancer type and institutional protocol. The chemotherapy is then drained, the abdominal cavity is inspected, and any required bowel reconnections or other final surgical steps are completed.

What Is Recovery Like After Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy?

Recovery is mainly determined by the extent of the accompanying cytoreductive surgery and can require a prolonged hospital stay. Patients are monitored for bowel function, pain, infection, fluid balance, kidney function, blood counts, nutrition, and healing of any bowel or organ resections. Fatigue and reduced appetite can continue after discharge while the body recovers from both major surgery and chemotherapy exposure. Further systemic chemotherapy, surveillance imaging, or other treatment depends on the cancer type, pathology, and overall oncologic plan.

What Are the Risks and Complications?

Possible complications include bleeding, infection, bowel leakage, abscess, ileus, bowel obstruction, wound problems, and blood clots related to the underlying cytoreductive surgery. HIPEC can add chemotherapy-specific toxicity such as kidney injury, bone-marrow suppression, electrolyte disturbances, or other organ effects depending on the drug used. Major abdominal resections can also cause nutritional problems, altered bowel function, or the need for a temporary or permanent stoma. Because treatment is complex, serious complications and reoperation remain recognized risks even at specialized centers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Is HIPEC given without surgery?

HIPEC is usually given during an operation after cytoreductive surgery has removed as much visible peritoneal tumor as safely possible.

Why is the chemotherapy heated during HIPEC?

Heat can increase the cancer-killing effect of some chemotherapy drugs and helps create a treatment environment focused directly on peritoneal surfaces.

Is HIPEC used for every cancer that spreads to the abdomen?

No. Its role varies by tumor type, disease distribution, resectability, patient health, and the evidence supporting HIPEC for that specific cancer.

Can HIPEC cause kidney problems?

Yes. Certain chemotherapy drugs used for HIPEC can injure the kidneys, so kidney function and fluid balance are monitored closely during and after treatment.

References

Cytoreduction (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34033325/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

Indications for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cytoreductive surgery: a clinical practice guideline. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32669924/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

National Guidelines for Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Peritoneal Malignancies: A Worldwide Systematic Review and Recommendations of Strength Analysis. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40413333/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a review of factors contributing to morbidity and mortality. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26941988/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

Acute kidney injury after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy - A systematic review. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39216462/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.