Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Abrazo’s Central Campus is one of the few facilities in the Phoenix Metro area to offer HIPEC, a specialized method of delivering chemotherapy for the treatment of certain metastatic cancer in the abdominal cavity.

What to Expect with HIPEC

HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is a procedure performed by a board certified surgeon specializing in surgical oncology. This state-of-the-art treatment is used to treat a variety of cancers (including cancer of the colon and rectum, ovary, stomach and appendix) that have spread to the abdominal cavity.

Before the HIPEC procedure, surgeons often perform “cytoreductive surgery,” which is surgery to remove any visible tumors within the abdomen. Once all the visible tumors are removed the HIPEC begins, with the goal to remove any residual microscopic cancer cells, preventing these cells from growing into larger new tumors, leading to recurrence of the cancer.

During this procedure, chemotherapy solution is heated to 105-109°F, and delivered to the abdominal cavity. This heated chemotherapy solution is circulated throughout the abdominal cavity for approximately one to two hours, during which time it comes into direct contact with any remaining cancer cells. The solution is then drained, and the abdominal incision is closed.

HIPEC offers numerous advantages over systemic chemotherapy. HIPEC allows for higher doses of chemotherapy to be delivered. By heating the chemotherapy solution, it is believed to improve drug absorption by the cancer cells. It also limits the chemotherapy to within the abdomen, thereby minimizing exposure of the rest of the body to the chemotherapy agents and reducing the amount of side effects.

HIPEC Care Team

Abrazo Central Campus has a comprehensive multidisciplinary team involved in the care of each patient undergoing HIPEC, including the surgical oncologist (Dr. Chamberlain), nurse practitioners, registered nurses, nurse navigator, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and other hospital team members.

Dr. Ronald Chamberlain is a board certified surgical oncologist who has completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, a Hepatobiliary Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and an Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery training at Yale University.

HIPEC Technology

ThermoChem HT-2000 System by ThermaSolutions

This state-of-the-art system of intraperitoneal heating utilized in the HIPEC procedures at Abrazo Central Campus is adjustable in 0.1 degree increments, allowing for close monitoring and improved patient safety.