Peritoneal Surgery: Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

What to expect

The Cytoreductive Surgery part of the operation aims to remove all visible signs of cancer within the abdomen by removing the peritoneal surfaces affected by spots of cancer, along with any affected organs. Once surgical clearance is obtained, the microscopic (invisible) cancer cells are destroyed using a heated chemotherapy wash of the abdomen at the time of surgery, warmed up to 41-42 degrees celsius. This allows the chemotherapy to act directly on the surfaces affected by cancer, working synergistically with the heat to destroy remaining cancer cells.

Although not suitable for all patients with peritoneal cancer spread, for people who can have this treatment, this surgery offers hope of prolonging survival in some patients with bowel (colorectal) cancer, appendix cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and other peritoneal tumours.

The Birmingham Peritoneal Malignancy Unit, set up in 2011 by Mr Haney Youssef, has treated over 500 cases with this innovative treatment and can offer this surgery at HCA The Harborne Hospital, with its state-of-the-art theatres and intensive care unit facilities.