Regular chemotherapy is given intravenously and reaches all parts of the body. HIPEC delivers high-dose heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen during surgery, achieving concentrations 20–1000 times higher at the peritoneal surface with much less systemic toxicity.

The combined operation typically lasts 8–14 hours. Cytoreductive surgery alone can take 6–12 hours depending on extent of disease, followed by 60–90 minutes of heated chemotherapy perfusion.

At experienced HIPEC centres, 30-day mortality is 1–3%. Major complications occur in 20–30% of cases but most are managed successfully. Careful patient selection is critical — HIPEC is not suitable for everyone with peritoneal disease.

Hospital stay is typically 10–14 days, often with an ICU stay of 2–3 days initially. Full recovery takes 2–3 months. Most patients return to normal activities by 3–4 months.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei has the highest cure rate (80–90% 5-year survival with CRS–HIPEC). Peritoneal mesothelioma and low-grade appendiceal cancers also respond very well. Colorectal cancer with limited peritoneal disease has 5-year survival of 30–40%.

Candidates are carefully selected using PET-CT, laparoscopy, and the Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI). Good performance status, limited disease burden, and suitable tumour biology are essential. Dr. Abhishek can assess candidacy from imaging and reports.

Side effects include temporary bone marrow suppression, kidney stress, mild hair loss, and general recovery from a long operation. Compared to systemic chemotherapy, HIPEC has fewer long-term side effects because it is given only once.

Yes. CRS–HIPEC is performed at a small number of specialist centres in India. Dr. Abhishek performs HIPEC at BLK-Max Delhi, one of the leading peritoneal surface oncology programs in the country.

CRS–HIPEC in India typically costs ₹6–10 lakh depending on the extent of cytoreduction and hospital category. This is a fraction of Western costs (USD 100,000+). We provide transparent estimates and insurance support.

Send your PET-CT scan, previous pathology, and any prior surgery reports via our contact form. Dr. Abhishek will personally assess your case and honestly advise whether HIPEC is appropriate.