Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
At Providence, our purpose is to ensure our patients have a sense of control over their cancer treatment. With advanced chemotherapeutic techniques such as intraperitoneal chemotherapy, our oncologists and caregivers are able to provide more comprehensive and precise cancer relief.
Chemotherapy is the use of specific drugs to help disrupt the reproduction of cancer cells. IP Chemo takes this a step further.
Whereas most patients receive their chemo as an injection or through an IV, intraperitoneal chemotherapy involves using a surgically implanted catheter to deliver chemotherapy drugs into the internal lining of the abdominal area.
This allows a high concentration of chemotherapy agents to reach the cancerous tissue, thereby increasing the effectiveness of treatment.
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, along with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion, is more effective against cancers that affect the peritoneal region, which includes the uterus, bladder and digestive tracts. Your oncologist might recommend IP therapy to help against ovarian and various types of stomach cancers.
For intraperitoneal chemotherapy, your surgeon will place a small catheter into your abdominal cavity either through staging surgery or with a laparoscopic procedure. The catheter is then connected to a small coin-sized port placed under the skin and connected to a vein.
Then, a highly concentrated dose of chemotherapy drugs is introduced into your abdominal region. Because IP chemo targets the abdominal cancer cells directly, healthy tissues that surround the cancer aren’t exposed to it. This allows for a lower risk of chemo-related side effects.
We understand that no two patients are alike, so our oncologists will make sure you receive the best treatment for your distinct situation. You and your family will also receive the support of social workers, who help you and your loved ones cope in this challenging time.
We understand the challenges our patients face and work to help ease and manage any of the difficult side effects of chemotherapy.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy involves the same side effects as standard chemo. In general, this type of chemotherapy can cause varying degrees of nausea, vomiting, low blood counts, and specific abdominal pain. At Providence, we make sure to review any side effects you experience from your specific chemo treatment and guide you through your healing with comfort and empathy.