HIPEC
Pronunciation: HI-pek
Also written as: HIPEC — Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy administered during surgery for peritoneal malignancies.
Full Definition
HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is a specialized treatment technique that involves the direct delivery of heated chemotherapy into the peritoneal cavity during surgery. The procedure is typically performed after cytoreductive surgery to treat microscopic residual disease in conditions like peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian cancer. The chemotherapy solution is heated to 41-43°C and circulated throughout the abdomen for 60-90 minutes. The hyperthermia enhances drug penetration and cytotoxicity while the direct intraperitoneal delivery achieves high local drug concentrations with reduced systemic toxicity. HIPEC requires specialized equipment and expertise, and patient selection is crucial due to the procedure's complexity and potential complications.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the chemotherapy agent, temperature, and duration when documenting HIPEC procedures.
In Context
- "Following optimal cytoreduction, the patient underwent HIPEC with cisplatin for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis." — Operative report
- "The specialized HIPEC protocol required multidisciplinary coordination between surgical oncology and anesthesia teams." — Treatment planning document