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Peritoneal Cancer and HIPEC Archive Questions

Below are Dr. Hanna’s answers to Peritoneal Cancer and HIPEC questions
received through the Ask the Expert feature.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended
to be a substitute for individual medical advice in diagnosing or treating a
health problem. Please consult with your physician about your specific health
care concerns.




Now displaying records 1 to 8 of 8.

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Q : 1

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.


Q : 2

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.


Q : 3

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.


Q : 4

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.


Q : 5

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.


Q : 6

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.


Q : 7

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.


Q : 8

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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