Hipec Treatment Cost in India

HIPEC Treatment cost in India

The cost of HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) treatment in India can vary widely based on several factors, including the hospital or medical facility you choose, the city you’re in, the specific medical team involved, the complexity of the case, and any additional services or facilities required during the treatment and recovery process.

As of my last update, HIPEC treatment costs in India could range from approximately 5000 USD to 15000USD  or more. It’s important to note that this is a rough estimate and the actual cost can vary. Some hospitals may offer package deals that include surgery, hospital stay, chemotherapy, and other associated costs.

Overview

HIPEC stands for “Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.” It is a specialized and advanced treatment procedure used for certain types of advanced abdominal cancers, particularly cancers that have spread to the peritoneal cavity, which is the space within the abdomen that contains organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, and ovaries.

The HIPEC procedure involves several steps:

  • Surgery: The first step involves surgical removal of visible tumors and any affected organs or tissues within the peritoneal cavity. This is called cytoreductive surgery.
  • Chemotherapy: After the surgical removal of tumors, a heated chemotherapy solution is introduced directly into the peritoneal cavity. The chemotherapy solution is heated to a higher-than-normal temperature, usually around 41-43°C (105-109°F), which helps enhance its effectiveness in killing cancer cells. The heated chemotherapy solution is circulated throughout the abdominal cavity to target any remaining cancer cells that may not have been visible during surgery.
  • Perfusion and Distribution: The chemotherapy solution is circulated within the peritoneal cavity for a specific period of time, usually around 1-2 hours. This allows the chemotherapy to come into direct contact with cancer cells while minimizing its exposure to the rest of the body.
  • Removal: Once the HIPEC treatment is completed, the chemotherapy solution is drained from the abdominal cavity, and the surgical incisions are closed.

HIPEC is considered a highly specialized and intensive treatment approach that is typically used in cases of advanced abdominal cancers, such as peritoneal mesothelioma and certain cases of advanced ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer that have spread to the peritoneal cavity.

What is the Procedure for HIPEC Surgery?

The procedure for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery is a complex and intensive treatment approach used for certain advanced abdominal cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity. The HIPEC procedure combines cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with the delivery of heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity. Here’s an overview of the HIPEC surgery procedure:

  • Patient Preparation: Before the surgery, the patient will undergo a thorough evaluation, including imaging tests and medical assessments, to determine their suitability for the HIPEC procedure. The patient’s overall health, extent of disease, and other factors will be considered.

  • Anesthesia: The patient will be placed under general anesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and pain-free during the procedure.

  • Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS): The first step of the HIPEC procedure is cytoreductive surgery (CRS). The surgical team will make incisions in the abdomen to access the peritoneal cavity. The surgeon will then carefully inspect the abdominal organs and peritoneal surfaces to identify and remove visible tumors and tumor deposits.
    Depending on the extent of disease, the surgeon may perform organ resections, remove parts of the peritoneal lining, and address any other areas of cancer spread within the abdominal cavity.

  • Heated Chemotherapy (HIPEC): After completing the cytoreductive surgery, the HIPEC phase begins. The surgeon will position specialized catheters or tubes within the abdominal cavity. The catheters are used to deliver a heated chemotherapy solution directly into the abdominal cavity.
    The chemotherapy solution is heated to a temperature higher than normal body temperature, typically around 104-108°F (40-42°C). The heated solution is circulated throughout the abdominal cavity for a specific period of time, typically 1 to 2 hours. The combination of heat and chemotherapy aims to target and destroy any remaining cancer cells that may not have been removed during the surgery.
  • Circulation and Monitoring: During the HIPEC procedure, the chemotherapy solution is continuously circulated within the abdominal cavity. The surgical team carefully monitors the patient’s vital signs, temperature, and other parameters to ensure safety and effectiveness.

  • Draining and Closure: Once the HIPEC treatment is complete, the heated chemotherapy solution is drained from the abdomen, and the catheters are removed. The surgical team will then close the incisions using sutures or staples.

  • Recovery and Follow-Up: After the procedure, the patient will be closely monitored in the recovery area or intensive care unit. The recovery period can vary, and patients may stay in the hospital for several days to recover from the surgery and HIPEC treatment. Pain management, wound care, and supportive measures will be provided.

How Does the HIPEC Machine Work?

Medical professionals insert catheters into the abdominal cavity and link them to the perfusion system. This system heats the chemotherapy solution and circulates it throughout the body.

An incorporated heating element raises the solution’s temperature to a range of 105 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit as it flows through the device. While normal cells can endure temperatures up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit, cancer cells begin to break down at approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

To ensure thorough mixing of the fluid, the physician administers a manual massage to the abdomen. This technique aids in delivering the medication to any remaining cancer cells. For approximately one hour, the chemotherapy drugs are exchanged between the patient and the perfusion system.

Following the completion of the chemotherapy bath, healthcare providers remove the medicinal fluid from the body.

Before removing the catheter and closing the incision, the cavity is subsequently cleansed primarily with a saline solution.

Considering that surgery durations can differ, the overall procedure, encompassing both surgery and HIPEC, may take anywhere from six to eight hours to conclude. The operation’s duration hinges on the extent of cancer’s spread within the abdomen.

 

 

Please Note: While each patient’s HIPEC recovery period is distinctive, it generally spans 10 to 12 weeks. Your medical team will guide you through the entire recovery process, including caring for your incision wounds and fostering healing. Fatigue constitutes the most challenging aspect of the rehabilitation phase. You may not feel completely yourself again for at least two to three months. During this interim, maintaining moderate activity levels and adopting a nutritious diet are crucial.

What are the Benefits of HIPEC?

  • Enhanced Drug Retention: A significant 90% of the medication remains localized within the abdominal cavity, minimizing potential harm to the rest of the body.
  • Precision Cancer Eradication: This specialized chemotherapy approach excels at targeting and eliminating even the tiniest cancer cells that escape visual detection.
  • Heightened Chemotherapy Effectiveness: HIPEC bolsters the absorption and susceptibility of cancer cells to chemotherapy, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes.
  • Focused Concentration: Chemotherapy is skillfully concentrated and intensified within the abdominal cavity through HIPEC, ensuring a precise and potent treatment impact.
  • Diminished Systemic Effects: HIPEC mitigates specific systemic side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy, promoting a more localized and targeted treatment strategy.
  • Reduced Side Effects: Compared to intravenous chemotherapy, HIPEC-delivered chemotherapy triggers fewer adverse effects. The potent concentrations of the chemotherapy solution are effectively hindered by the peritoneal plasma barrier, resulting in reduced negative outcomes.
  • Synergistic Approach: Expert opinions suggest that combining HIPEC with surgery could yield greater benefits compared to standalone chemotherapy.
  • Potential Survival Enhancement: Overall, HIPEC holds promise for enhancing survival rates and improving overall patient prognosis.

How is HIPEC different than traditional chemotherapy?

HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) is a special kind of chemotherapy that is used to treat cancer in the abdomen. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, HIPEC is given during surgery. First, the surgeon removes any visible cancer in the abdomen, then a warm solution of chemotherapy drugs is put into the abdomen.

HIPEC and traditional chemotherapy work differently in several key ways:

  • Delivery method: HIPEC is delivered directly into the abdominal cavity, bathing cancer cells with high concentrations of the drugs. Traditional chemotherapy uses intravenous (IV) infusion or oral medication to deliver drugs throughout the body, so cancer cells are exposed to lower, systemic drug levels. HIPEC achieves much higher local drug concentrations.
  • Treatment duration: HIPEC typically lasts 30-90 minutes. Chemotherapy infusions are done over several hours or days. So HIPEC leads to a shorter exposure to the drugs.
  • Toxicity: HIPEC doses tend to be lower since the drugs are confined to the abdomen. This can reduce side effects and toxicity compared to higher IV doses used for traditional chemotherapy.
  • Targeting: HIPEC specifically targets cancer cells in the abdominal cavity, including metastases on abdominal organs and surfaces. Traditional chemotherapy circulates through the whole body, so it targets cancer cells throughout the body in a less targeted fashion.
  • Use: HIPEC is usually used after cytoreductive surgery to remove as much cancer as possible. It helps destroy any remaining microscopic cancer cells. Chemotherapy is also often used before or after surgery but has a more systemic function.
  • Resistance: Some cancers may develop resistance to chemotherapy over time. Doing chemotherapy intraperitoneally with HIPEC can potentially overcome drug resistance that develops from traditional IV chemotherapy delivery.
  • So in summary, HIPEC allows for higher drug doses, shorter exposure, less toxicity, more targeted treatment, and can possibly overcome treatment resistance compared to traditional chemotherapy.

The Most Important Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between CRS and HIPEC?
A1: CRS is an abdominal procedure in which the doctors clear the belly of any detectable malignancies. HIPEC comes just after CRS. In HIPEC, hot chemotherapy is directly administered into the abdomen to eradicate any undetectable or tiny cancer cells.

 

Q: Who is a suitable HIPEC candidate?
A: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) therapy may provide fresh hope and better results if you have been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer or a disease that started elsewhere in the body and subsequently metastasized into the abdomen.

 

Q: What are the HIPEC’s long-term side effects?
A: Possible risks from the HIPEC procedure include paralytic ileus, anastomosis leaks, hemorrhages, infections, pleural effusions, fistulas, abscesses, hematological toxicity, and renal failure.

Q: After HIPEC, do I require chemo?
A: Additionally, many patients use HIPEC to receive chemotherapy both before and after surgery. This provides a number of benefits. It could reduce the size of the peritoneal metastases before surgery, making total removal of them simpler. Additionally, it could get rid of any cancer that has already spread to other parts of the body.

Q: In HIPEC, why is chemotherapy heated?
A: Greater medication concentrations where they are needed are made possible by administering the chemotherapy in the belly at the time of surgery. Chemotherapy that has been heated kills cancer cells more efficiently and with fewer adverse effects.

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