Specialize Treatment Options

Specialized Cancer Treatment Options

There are other treatment options available in the U.S. often in conjunction with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Though not widely available in the U.S. yet, they are often covered by insurance and very effective. Many of these services have been available in other countries for decades.

Cytoreductive Surgery (HIPEC Part 1)

Some tumors arising from the gastrointestinal tract and gynecological organs have their primary route of spread within the abdominal cavity alone. The primary tumor or site of origin, if left untreated, will eventually grow outside the organ involved, thus allowing the tumor to shed tumor cells into the abdominal fluid which can then lead to spread throughout the abdominal or peritoneal cavity. These cells can then implant on the peritoneal surfaces of the diaphragm, liver, spleen, omentum, pelvis, or on the surfaces of the bowel and bowel mesentery. Eventually these cells will grow and become visible growths on the peritoneal surfaces and organs. When it does this, it is called peritoneal carcinomatosis. The procedure to remove tumors that have spread throughout the abdomen is called “cytoreductive surgery.” This procedure removes all the “visible” tumors leaving only microscopic residual disease or tiny deposits on the bowel surfaces and within the peritoneal fluid.

Heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC part 2)

For peritoneal carcinomatosis (cancers that have spread within the abdominal cavity). Immediately after the cytoreductive procedures are completed, chemotherapy is delivered directly into the abdominal cavity. The chemotherapy solution delivered is heated to 109° F. Heat is known to have a greater effect of killing tumor cells than normal cells. In addition, heat causes the tumor cell membrane to become more permeable to the chemotherapy drugs delivered and thus thrust the drug into the cell resulting in cell death. The chemotherapy solution is delivered continuously for 60 to 90 minutes.

Tumors treated adrenal, appendix, colorectal, liver, mesothelioma, ovarian, pancreatic, peritoneal, stomach.

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Hyperthermia (thermal ablation, thermotherapy)

FDA-approved, non-invasive technology to target and gently heat cancer tumors. Combined with other treatment modalities, hyperthermia improves response to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, without damaging healthy cells. See out list of locations where the treatment is available on the References and Support Information page.

Different heating techniques can be used such as radio waves, microwaves, lasers, ultrasound, and hot baths. Targeted ultrasound heat energy penetrates the tumor directly, slowly elevating the temperature of the tumor to 109°F (43°C). Cancerous cells become vulnerable, enabling chemotherapy and radiation therapy to be more effective. The technology targets depths up to 10 cm beyond the natural layer of fat, destroying cancerous cells directly while preserving healthy tissue.

Cancers treated: appendix, bladder, brain, breast, cervical, esophageal, head/neck, liver, lung, melanoma, mesothelioma, rectal, and sarcoma.

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