"Abdominal cancers are especially difficult to treat, often leaving patients fewer than five years to live," said Stamford Hospital Surgical Oncologist Xiang Da (Eric) Dong, M.D.  "Infusing the abdomen with a heated chemotherapy during surgery has been shown to significantly increase patient survival rates.  We are fortunate to offer this cancer-fighting capability to the region and to our patients at the Bennett Cancer Center."

In HIPEC, a heated (107.6ºF) chemotherapy solution is circulated throughout the patient's abdomen for up to 90 minutes during surgery.  Direct contact with the heated drug kills any undetected cancer cells once the abdominal tumor is removed or debulked.  After the treatment is completed, the solution is removed and the incision is closed.

Introducing chemotherapy during surgery allows the patient greater exposure to the drug without the usual side effects.  The high concentration applied directly into the abdomen kills hard-to-detect cancer cells and prevents them from growing into new tumors.  This one-two punch effectively reduces the recurrence of malignant abdominal cancers. 

There are also numerous advantages to heating the chemotherapy solution.  Specifically, this: 

• Increases the chemotherapy solution's potency to more effectively kill cancer cells.
• Softens the tumor's nodules to improve absorption of the chemo solution.
• Avoids harming healthy, normal cells in the abdomen.

Clinical studies have shown that HIPEC is more effective than surgery or chemotherapy alone, and can improve the patient's survival rates and overall quality of life.  In a study performed by The Netherlands Cancer Institute, HIPEC helped increase the survival rate of end-stage cancer patients by an average of 21 months.

According to HIPECTreatment.org, there are only 48 surgeons in the United States who can perform the HIPEC procedure.  Dr. Dong is one in only three surgeons in New England who are trained and experienced in the abdominal cancer-fighting procedure.

Stamford Hospital

Stamford Hospital is a not-for-profit provider of comprehensive healthcare services in lower Fairfield County and the region.  The mission of Stamford Hospital is to provide, together with its physicians, a broad range of high quality health and wellness services focused on the needs of our communities.  Stamford Hospital is a Magnet Hospital and a member of the Planetree Alliance, a group of hospitals nationwide focused on patient-centered care.  Stamford Hospital is affiliated with New York Presbyterian Health System and is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.