Global Health Asia-Pacific Issue 5 | 2022 Issue 5 | 2022 | Page 29

Heater
Touch Screen
Thermometers
OVERALL SURVIVAL ( OS ) BENEFIT
OS % of Patients who underwent CRS-HIPEC in Singapore 1 Post-operative mortality rate : Less than 1.0 % 9
91.7
Reservoir
Overall Survival (%)
100
080 060
040
020
59.1
50.9
Pump
Chemotherapy
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
• A perfusion machine will heat up the chemotherapy drugs
• The drugs will then pass through the patient ’ s abdomen via catheters
• This typically takes 60 minutes and the patient is carefully monitored throughout the combined procedure
The duration of CRS and HIPEC is dependent on the extent of the disease , with total durations of surgeries being 4 – 16 hours . The more extensive the disease ( i . e . involving more organs ), the longer the surgery .
Once HIPEC is completed , the heated chemotherapy is drained out and the abdomen would be rinsed thoroughly and inspected . Bowel anastomoses ( joining ) would be performed and the surgery would be completed . Most patients would be monitored overnight in the high dependency or intensive care unit but the progression during to recovery is typically fairly rapid after the first 2 – 3 days and most patients are discharged within 7 – 10 days from the day of the CRS and HIPEC .
What types of cancers can CRS and HIPEC treat ?
• Appendix tumours ( pseudomyxoma peritonei or appendiceal cancer )
• Colorectal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Peritoneal cancer
• Peritoneal mesothelioma
• Stomach cancer
Are there any risks or complications in CRS and HIPEC ? The risks of CRS and HIPEC are dependent on the extent of the surgery but the major complications include breakdown of bowel anastomoses ( joining ) and bleeding . In experienced centres , the risk of major complications should be less than 10 %.
Other complications include wounds , urinary and lung infections , and deep vein thrombosis , all of which are common to any major surgery .
What is the survival rate for CRS and HIPEC ? The survival after CRS and HIPEC is dependent on the original cancer origin and the completeness of the surgery . In experienced hands , long-term survivals of 80 %, 30 – 40 % and 50 – 60 % can be obtained after complete CRS and HIPEC for appendiceal , colorectal and ovarian cancers .
According to data gathered from 20 studies , the median survival for patients receiving HIPEC surgery as a treatment for colorectal peritoneal metastases ( CRPM ) was 14.6 – 60.1 months . The systematic review of all the studies also concluded that HIPEC surgery was a safe treatment for CRPM , improving both median and disease-free survival .
HIPEC is an innovative method that has allowed patients with advanced cancers to get the treatment option they need , thereby giving them a second chance at prolonged survival and life .
To learn more about this advanced procedure , make an appointment with your specialist to discuss the benefits of HIPEC and to determine if it is the right treatment option for you .
This article was first published on Health Plus , an online health and wellness resource developed by IHH Healthcare Singapore .
For appointment bookings and enquiries ,
Contact our Central Patient Assistance Centre 24-hour hotline at ( 65 ) 735 5000 .
www . mountelizabeth . com . sg
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