Cancers involving the peritoneum are associated with considerable morbidity and decreased survival. Many of these patients suffer from refractory pain, ascites and bowel obstructions. As a result these patients are particularly challenging to manage.
Recent randomized trials have demonstrated prolonged disease-free and overall survival with Cytoreductive Surgery combined with Heated Intraoperative Peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Management of patients with peritoneal malignancies is a complex undertaking requiring the thoughtful input from providers with experience in several sub-specialties of care. Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are sophisticated and continually evolving. The surgeries are complex to perform and require additional specialized training in dealing with complex intraabdominal malignancies. Furthermore, since these procedures can be associated with high morbidity support from other specialty services are essential.
Dr Bilchik and his team have extensive experience in surgical debulking (cytoreduction) and work closely with a multidisciplinary team (medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists and gastroenterologists) to develop a plan to manage these patients.
Patients are considered for debulking and HIPEC with the following malignancies after review at our multidisciplinary tumor board.
- Appendiceal cancer
- Peritoneal mesothelioma
- Ovarian cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Gastric cancer
