Visakhapatnam, Jan 24: Doctors at KIMS Seethammadhara successfully performed a nearly nine-hour-long advanced surgical procedure on a 42-year-old woman suffering from ovarian cancer, using cytoreductive surgery combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC).
Addressing the media, surgical oncologist Dr. Krovvidi Lakshminarayana Rao said the patient, a homemaker from Visakhapatnam, was admitted with complaints of severe abdominal pain. Detailed investigations, including imaging and other diagnostic tests, confirmed advanced ovarian cancer with abdominal fluid accumulation.
The patient initially underwent six cycles of chemotherapy, following which there was a significant reduction in the tumour size — from about 7 cm — and a marked decrease in ascites. Subsequently, the medical team decided to proceed with cytoreductive surgery along with HIPEC.
Explaining the procedure, Dr. Lakshminarayana Rao said that HIPEC is performed after surgically removing all visible cancerous lesions from the abdominal cavity. During the procedure, heated chemotherapy drugs are circulated within the abdomen for a fixed duration. “The heat enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy, allowing the drug to penetrate deeper into residual cancer cells. Unlike conventional chemotherapy, HIPEC acts locally, thereby reducing systemic side effects,” he said.
The procedure not only removes visible tumours but also helps eliminate microscopic residual cancer cells, thereby reducing the chances of recurrence. “HIPEC has shown promising results in improving disease control, long-term survival and quality of life, particularly in selected cases of ovarian cancer,” he added.
The surgery was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising anaesthesiologists led by Dr. T.A.R. Varma, along with the critical care team headed by Dr. Ramakrishna. The patient recovered well postoperatively and was discharged in stable condition, the doctors said.