Q
: 1
11/15/2009 |
Can HIPEC treatment be successfully used to treat 3rd stage rectal cancer?
Yes. We will be happy to review the case for recommendation.
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Q
: 2
10/31/2009 |
My brother is only 45-years-old and was diagnosed 2 months ago with signet ring cell adenocarcinoma from the colon. The doctors are saying he has peritoneal carcinamatosis and it is inoperable. He has no other organs involved, but he does have a pleural effusion that is not associated with the cancer. He is currently on FolFox 6 and it seems to be working, however we don't know if this can cure his disease. Do you think he would be a candidate for the surgery with the heated chemo? His oncologist states there is not much success rate with this surgery, but the doctors here don't have a wealth of knowledge about this type of cancer. Do you think it could be beneficial?
Yes, he could be a candidate for the surgery with heated chemo. The current chemotherapy he is receiving will not cure him. His oncologist is unaware of the results of this therapy. Please call my office 410-328-7320 for information.
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Q
: 3
10/03/2009 |
What is the likelihood that HIPEC will cause infertility in women of childbearing age?
Currently, there is not a lot of information available as most female patients who have this procedure are menopausal or have their ovaries removed as a part of the cytoreductive surgery. If there is true concern, then you may want to consider ova harvesting and freezing.
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Q
: 4
08/07/2009 |
My wife had HIPEC with debulking about 8 weeks ago. She has lost weight and has had difficulty gaining it back since the surgery. She still takes medication for abdominal pain and sometimes has significant cramping/discomfort after eating. Is this to be expected after this length of time? She will be undergoing more chemo (5FU) next week and I am concerned about undergoing chemo while still feeling the after effects of the surgery.
This is not unexpected given the nature of the HIPEC procedure. It is very important that your wife keeps up with her nutrition and is eating a proper diet.
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Q
: 5
06/16/2009 |
Is the HIPEC treatment experimental or is it FDA approved?
Do you take volunteers or what is the cost? My husband has stage 4 stomach cancer and is doing chemo right now but it's not working.
It is not experimental and we do not take volunteers. Cost is dependent on the extent of the surgery, but most insurances will cover the procedure. It can be done for stomach cancer only if there is limited disease and good performance status. If interested in consultation, please call my office 410-328-7320 to schedule appointment.
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Q
: 6
02/17/2009 |
Under what circumstances would it be advisable to have conventional IV neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC? Under what circumstances would it be advisable to skip neoadjuvant chemo and go straight to cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC? The patient in question has colon cancer that has spread to the omentum, but has not metastized outside of the peritoneal cavity.
Both approaches are acceptable. It really depends on the understanding of the biology of your tumor, prior chemo or not, and what type, extent of disease,etc. The main advantage of neoadjuvant chemo is to determine if your tumor is responsive to this chemo to be continued after the surgery.
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Q
: 7
01/28/2009 |
My mother has metastatic peritoneal sarcoma. Doctors told us that we can't do a surgery, only chemotherapy. Is the HIPEC procedure an option for her? Thank you.
Yes, HIPEC can be helpful, but it will depend on the volume and distribution of her disease.
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Q
: 8
11/30/2008 |
I have been diagnosed with mucinous cancer or appendix cancer. I had my appendix removed and part of the bowel resectioned in October 2008. I was told only two doctors in Baltimore treat this cancer. I have been to both. My question for you is the success story you spoke of Ms. Jordan said that she did not need a breathing tube. Why was that? I'd love to do this without a breathing tube. Also , what was the key to her quick recovery? I'd love to accomplish the same. Becky Kuhn
There are 5 surgeons in Baltimore only who do cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC including myself and one of my faculty. The reason for most of our patients not requiring breathing tube after the surgery is that we have great expereience in how to manage such cases with our anethesiologist. Most of our patients will also not require ICU admission.
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Q
: 9
10/04/2008 |
My 48 year old brother has metastatic gastric cancer. Had total gastrectomy with splenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the stomach in September 2006. Had chemotherapy for four months. In September 2008 he presented with abdominal pain occurring after meals. Abdominal ultrasound and scan showed a thickened gall bladder wall and cholelithiasis. He was admitted for a cholecystectomy; however during surgery he was found to have many (40-50) small ~1.0 cm tumor nodules,(confirmed as poorly differentiated carcinoma with extensive fibrosis), in the visceral peritoneum overlying the jejunum and ileum. He is very interested in receiving HIPEC if it is possible for his condition. He is willing to travel and temporarily relocate during therapy.
In gastric cancer, HIPEC is most effective at time of original surgery. Once the tumor is recurrent, its role and benefit becomes questionable, as the biology of the disease is aggressive. If you can FedEX his records and imaging studies, I can review them and determine if he potentially can benefit for HIPEC.
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Q
: 10
09/25/2008 |
For a 43-year-old male with stage 4 Rectosigmoid carcinoma and Portal Vein thrombus (primary tumor operable), would surgery alone benefit or should it be done with HIPEC? Is it possible to remove primary tumor now, and then consider HIPEC later?
HIPEC should be considered at the same time. The only concern is the portal vein thrombosis.
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Q
: 11
09/23/2008 |
When did you start doing the cytoreductive surgery with the HIPEC and approximately how many have you performed?
I started the program at University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center in 2004, and we have performed over 75 cases to date.
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Q
: 12
04/23/2008 |
My mother has primary peritoneal cancer, stage IV. She has taken platin drugs and is currently on Doxil. What are the drugs currently used in your procedures? Can you use a drug that has been used before?
The best option is cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy with mitomycin C or cisplatinum.
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