HIPEC Therapy

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Our Approach to HIPEC Treatment

HIPEC stands for Hyperthermic Intraoperative Peritoneal Chemotherapy. It is a breakthrough therapy that delivers high-dose chemotherapy directly to the abdomen during surgery. HIPEC is a unique treatment to kill microscopic cancer cells. It is generally more effective with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapies.

The physicians leading the program at Stanford are the most experienced HIPEC team in Northern California.

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What We Offer You for HIPEC Treatment

Nationally recognized expertise to diagnose and treat every stage and subtype of gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancers.
Genetic counseling services to assess your genetic risk for gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancers and to develop a plan for you and your family.
Comprehensive support services that address your unique needs during cancer diagnosis and care.

Clinical trials to provide early access to promising therapies only available at Stanford or select medical centers.
NIH designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center in recognition of our research into new approaches to cancer detection and treatment.

What is HIPEC?

About HIPEC

HIPEC is a new and significant alternative to conventional chemotherapies for cancers that have spread to the abdomen.

After visible cancer is surgically removed, the chemotherapy medications are warmed to 42-degrees Celsius, streamed into the abdomen, and allowed to circulate for one to two hours to kill any lingering, microscopic cancer cells. The heat and chemotherapy work together to disrupt and kill the cancer. Because there is a relative barrier between the abdominal cavity and the circulatory system, very little chemotherapy makes its way to the bloodstream. Therefore, side effects commonly associated with chemotherapies infused through a vein are significantly reduced.