​Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion (HIPEC) Treatment

Many tumors too advanced for surgical removal remain confined to a single organ or region of the body. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) is a surgical technique that we use to treat these types of tumors.

What Can I Expect During Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion?


In HIPEC, our surgeons may first debulk, or partially remove, the tumor prior to treating.

  • Afterwards, the surgeon makes two small incisions and inserts tubes:
    • One to pump the heated chemotherapy solution into your body.
    • One to circulate the fluid back to the heating equipment.
  • Once the treatment begins, the temperature in the chest cavity rises to between 105 and 107.6 F (40.6 and 42 C).
  • The chemotherapy solution circulates for several hours to kill the cancer cells.
  • The pump is turned off to allow the treated region to cool to normal temperature.
  • Then the surgeon removes the tubes and temperature probes, closes the incisions, and sends you to recovery.

​Number of HIPEC Treatments Performed

​ ​
​Year ​National * ​UPMC
​2002 ​400 ​24
​2003 ​425 ​60
​2004 ​475 ​41
​2005 ​500 ​13
​2006 ​550 ​104
​2007 ​800 ​102
​2008 ​850 ​140
​2009 ​950 ​160
​2010 ​1050 ​163
​2011 ​1200 ​145
​2012 ​1350 176
​* Estimated
 

Cancer Types Treated with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion:

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