By heating chemotherapy, Ohio State surgeons are delivering targeted treatment directly to cancer cells while reducing side effects for patients. “The heat helps the effect of the chemotherapy when it comes into contact with the cancer cells,” Pamela Lu, MD, says about the procedure, called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). “Just the heat alone can have a toxic effect in killing cancer cells.” At Ohio State, the HIPEC surgery is currently performed on patients with cancer in the abdomen and peritoneal lining of the abdomen. “The cancer can look like tiny white spots, it can be raised or flat,” says Lu, who leads the HIPEC team at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). Lu shares all the details about HIPEC on our Cancer-Free World Podcast. Watch on the video player above or on YouTube, and listen via Spotify or Apple Podcasts. HIPEC starts with a thorough examination of patients’ abdomens and peritoneal linings. “We take a survey of how much cancer is there and how much surgery a patient will need,” Lu says. The team then performs surgery to remove all of the tumor that’s visible to the eye, a procedure called cytoreductive surgery. “Once that’s complete, we proceed with HIPEC through a hot chemotherapy bath that enters the site through tubes and a special profusion machine that allows the chemo solution to circulate through the abdomen,” Lu says. While administering the treatment, the machine also maintains the chemotherapy’s temperature to ensure that the solution remains hot throughout the process. “Our goal for the temperature is 42 degrees Celsius (approximately 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit),” Lu says. “With the help of our anesthesia colleagues, we keep a very close eye on our patients’ body temperature to make sure they don’t get too hot.” Click here to learn more about HIPEC for cancer patients at the OSUCCC – James. The HIPEC technique can lead to improved outcomes for patients in part because of the direct access in provides to any remaining cancer cells after surgery, as well as reductions in side effects because of differences in the amount of chemotherapy. “The body doesn’t absorb it the way it does traditional chemotherapy through an IV, so we can avoid some of those systemic toxicities.” Because of the complexities involved with HIPEC, the procedure requires a team of experts like the group at the OSUCCC – James. “We have such a great group of clinicians with so much experience in treating these types of rare cancers,” Lu says of her team, which also includes pathologists, radiologists, case resource managers and therapists. “We’re moving away from this type of cancer being a terminal diagnosis to a shift in managing it as a chronic disease.” Click here to learn more about gastrointestinal cancer, including risks, symptoms and treatment options at The Ohio State University.