What is abdominal cavity and peritoneum?
The abdominal cavity is the largest hollow space of the body. It contains the greater part of the digestive tract, along with the liver and the pancreas, the spleen, the kidneys, and the adrenal glands above the kidneys. The abdominal cavity is lined by the peritoneum which is a membrane whose surface is as large as the skin surface. Read more
What is Peritoneal cancer?
Peritoneal cancer means cancer of the peritoneum. Read more
When cancer spreads to the peritoneum, is it the last stage/stage 4?
Yes, spread of cancer to the peritoneum is considered stage 4 in most cancers. In ovarian cancer it is stage 3. Read more
What is primary and secondary peritoneal cancer?
Peritoneal cancer is primary when the tumor arises from the peritoneum itself (primary peritoneal carcinomatosis). But when the tumor from other sites spreads to the peritoneum, it is secondary. Read more
What is Cytoreductive Surgery?
Cyto=cells and reduction=removal. Hence, Cytoreductive surgery refers to removal of all the tumor cells from the peritoneal cavity. Read more
What is HIPEC?
HIPEC or Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy is a surgical procedure that is performed in the operating room after all the visible tumor has been removed with the help of cytoreductive surgery. Read more
What is PIPAC?
PIPAC or Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy is a new method of giving chemotherapy to patients with advanced abdominal cancer. This procedure is performed through laparoscopy. Read more
What is EPIC?
Sometimes in addition to or as an alternative to HIPEC, chemotherapy is given immediately after surgery directly to the peritoneal cavity. This is known as Early Postoperative Chemotherapy or EPIC. It may add to the benefit of HIPEC as well.