HIPEC is a concentrated, heated chemotherapy treatment delivered directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery. It works by circulating warmed anti-cancer drugs at 41 to 43°C to kill microscopic cells. Specialists use this to treat advanced cancers of the ovaries, colon, appendix, and stomach.
- Cytoreductive surgery: Surgeons first perform debulking to remove all visible abdominal tumours.
- Heated wash: A machine circulates chemotherapy through the abdomen for 60 to 120 minutes.
- Enhanced penetration: Heat expands blood vessels, allowing medicine to reach deeper into tissues.
- Reduced toxicity: The abdominal lining acts as a barrier, limiting whole-body side effects.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While HIPEC is highly effective for localized abdominal spread, it is a major surgical event. Data shows patients should expect an ICU stay and 1 to 2 weeks in hospital. Clinics in Bangkok, such as Panacee Hospital Rama 2, focus on integrative recovery protocols to support the body at a cellular level after such intensive procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Thailand describe the process as a significant surgical journey requiring physical preparation and a long period of bowel rest. They highlight the importance of having a clear follow-up plan with local Australian doctors before travelling for this level of complex care.