HIPEC

[carol-b]

Has anyone received this treatment which is a warm abdominal chemo wash during an open surgical procedure? If so, has anyone undergone this after already having a prior surgery?

Thanks

Carol-B

[ladygooner-uk]

Hi I had a wash when I had my hysterectomy apparently. It was because I had small amounts of ascities and this helps to kill the cells.

Sue

[gailhay]

Hi Carol

Yes I was lucky enough to get it. I had initial surgery to remove my ovaries and was diagnosed at that time with 3c.. I then went on to have 6 lots of carbo/taxol chemo, and then debulking surgery with the HIPEC at the time of open surgery. it wasn't available in my local unit (I think there is only 3 UK centres that offer it) so i did travel to another unit where a specialist gave it to me. (i believe it is widely available in the USA). It was a difficult decision at the time as it is very difficult to find good evidence and research about the outcomes of having it. What is it you want to know

Gail

[carol-b in reply to gailhay]

After 2 surgeries and 5 rounds of chemo I am looking for an " out of the box" treatment. I feel good. Have gotten through all treatments without a hitch. HIPEC was not available to me in2009 during my first surgery. I have been on chemo for a yr. don't think remission is in the near future and I want anything I haven't had. Sometimes I feel the physicians have a sense of feeling "there is nothing more out there except some different chemos to try". I am not convinced. They say HIPEC will not increase my life expectancy. If I get more yrs than to me it is worth it. I am willing to take any chance.

If I didn't feel so well I may not want to take a chance on anything without a lot of proven results. I know there is no current cure for my cell type. I have outlived the 5 yrs that they said I wouldn't get. So how do they know I'm not going to get 5 more yrs???

I don't plan on being a statistic and I don't like sitting around without a plan. I am lucky and I have a great life. I am grateful for getting through the last 5 yrs with minimal bad affects.

[Fernanda]

Hi, Carol.

Hipec is only useful if you don't have cancer outside abdomen. As my cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the chest, I haven't received hipec in debulking surgery.

But if you want something "out if the box", did you try genetic testing from your tumour?

My onco sent a biopsy from my tumour to Foundation One lab last year. The results showed cancer has 6 mutations, and for 2 of them a chemo for breast cancer may help. I'm receiving now Afinitor to try to control the little beasties.

I payed almost US$ 6000.00 fir the exam. But some health insurance may covers it.

If you can't afford it, you may try Clearity Foundation. They help women to get a tumour profile. You fill the pappers and offer the amount you can pay, and they complete the amount.

The exams at Clearity Foundation are pretty less extensive than Foundation One, but maybe can help in your treatment.

Any further information at foundationone.com and clearityfoundation.org

Hugs, Fernanda

[carol-b in reply to Fernanda]

Hi Fernanda,

Thanks for your reply.

I am residing in the USA so treatment options are different here. At this point the 2 lesions now in my liver were biopsied (in April) and noted as being cystic and necrotic in origin. I have a small mass in my right left lower abdomen (roughly about an inch around) and now a small new growth in the left upper abdomen noted as peritoneal carcinomatosis. This is usually the diagnosis they will do HIPEC on. They speculate that I have a lot of adhesions from my prior 2 debulkings which is the reason I have been given for not being a candidate for HIPEC. A board of 25 gyn oncologists agreed with this decision. I have no cancer in any of of my lymphs or lung. In my mind I feel I am a candidate but I know that multiple surgeries are not the norm for ovarian cancer.

I will discuss the possibility of tumor profiling with my oncologist at the end of this month. They do have the tissue samples from my last 2 surgeries if they are helpful. I must admit that there has been some discussion about a chemo agent that has been used to treat breast cancer. I was on estrogen replacement for 15 yrs prior to being diagnosed. Even though the doses were extremely low I believe that is how I obtained ovarian cancer even though all the oncologists I have gone to believe otherwise. They believe that the cancer started at the end of the fallophillan tubes which they claim is not usually an area where estrogen relation OC starts (this I have never quite understood)

After 5 years I continue to search for any new answers. I will take a look at the websites you attached.

Thanks again for all your info.

Fondest regards.

Carol-B

[Fernanda in reply to carol-b]

Carol, Foundation One and Clearity Foundation are at USA. And I'm on the same side of Atlantic ocean as you, but in Brazil.

[Meatsy in reply to carol-b]

Hi Carol, I am in a very similar position to you and frustrated by the lack of proactive approach here. If I find anything out will let you know would be grateful visa versa. Claire

[carol-b]

Oh fabulous! Will check it out!

Much thanks!

Carol-b