Oncological Surgery · Istanbul

HIPEC Treatment

Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar — General Surgery & Oncological Surgery Specialist

Cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) for peritoneal surface malignancies. HIPEC-certified surgeon in Istanbul.

🧬 HIPEC Certified🔬 Cytoreductive Surgery🌍 International Patients📄 50+ International Publications
HomeConditionsHIPEC
Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar
Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar
Genel Cerrahi & Onkolojik Cerrahi Uzmanı
📞 Randevu Al
⚡ Hızlı Bilgiler
Operating Time6–12 hours
Hospital Stay7–14 days
Perfusion Temp.41–43°C
Recovery4–8 weeks
CertificationCRS+HIPEC
LanguagesTR · EN · FR · RU

What is HIPEC?

HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is a locoregional treatment strategy for cancers that have spread to the peritoneum — the thin membrane lining the inner abdominal wall and covering abdominal organs. It combines cytoreductive surgery (CRS), which removes all visible peritoneal tumor deposits, with the intraoperative administration of heated chemotherapy solution directly into the abdominal cavity.

The rationale for hyperthermia is dual: temperatures of 41–43°C are directly cytotoxic to tumor cells and enhance drug penetration into tumor tissue. Intraperitoneal delivery achieves drug concentrations 20–1,000 times higher than systemic administration, while markedly limiting systemic toxicity.

📌 Important: CRS+HIPEC is a major surgical undertaking. Appropriate patient selection — by an experienced multidisciplinary oncology team — is the most critical determinant of outcome. Not all patients with peritoneal metastases are suitable candidates.

Indications

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Colorectal Cancer
Peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer are the most common indication. Selected patients with limited peritoneal disease (low PCI) achieve significantly improved survival with CRS+HIPEC compared with systemic chemotherapy alone.
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Gastric Cancer
CRS+HIPEC is considered for gastric cancer with limited peritoneal metastases or positive peritoneal cytology (P1/CY1). Stringent patient selection is required; outcomes are best with complete cytoreduction.
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Pseudomyxoma Peritonei
Pseudomyxoma peritonei (appendiceal mucinous neoplasms) is one of the strongest indications for CRS+HIPEC, with excellent long-term outcomes including 10-year survival exceeding 60% in experienced centers.
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Primary peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive malignancy for which CRS+HIPEC represents the only potentially curative treatment strategy, offering median survival exceeding 5 years in selected patients.

Patient Selection

Rigorous patient selection is the cornerstone of CRS+HIPEC outcomes. The key eligibility criteria include:

  • Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI): Quantifies the extent of peritoneal disease across 13 abdominal regions (score 0–39). Lower PCI correlates with better outcomes; generally PCI ≤20 for colorectal cancer and PCI ≤6–12 for gastric cancer.
  • Completeness of Cytoreduction (CC) score: CC-0 (no residual tumor) is the primary surgical objective and strongest predictor of survival benefit.
  • Performance status: ECOG 0–1; adequate cardiopulmonary, hepatic, and renal function.
  • No extra-abdominal metastases: Liver and lung metastases generally exclude patients from curative-intent CRS+HIPEC (with some exceptions for synchronous hepatic resection).
  • Tumor histology: Mucinous appendiceal tumors, mesothelioma, and selected colorectal/gastric cases have the strongest evidence base.
⚠️ Multidisciplinary Evaluation is Mandatory

Every patient considered for CRS+HIPEC must be evaluated by a multidisciplinary oncology board including surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiology, and pathology. No patient proceeds to surgery without board consensus.

The Procedure

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CRS + HIPEC — Combined Procedure
Major Oncological Surgery
6–12 hrsTotal operating time
41–43°CPerfusion temperature
60–90 minHIPEC perfusion
7–14 daysHospital stay

Phase 1 — Cytoreductive Surgery: All visible peritoneal tumor deposits are systematically excised. This may include peritonectomy procedures (parietal and visceral peritoneum stripping), omentectomy, and resection of involved organs (bowel, spleen, gallbladder, uterus/ovaries). Complete cytoreduction (CC-0) is the primary oncological objective.

Phase 2 — HIPEC: Immediately following cytoreduction, a heated chemotherapy solution (typically oxaliplatin or mitomycin C for colorectal cancer; cisplatin for mesothelioma) is circulated through the abdominal cavity at 41–43°C for 60–90 minutes using a closed or open (coliseum) technique. The abdomen is then irrigated and closed.

  • Complete cytoreduction (CC-0) is the strongest predictor of benefit
  • Drug concentrations 20–1,000× higher than systemic chemotherapy
  • Hyperthermia enhances drug uptake and is directly cytotoxic
  • HIPEC-certified surgeon and experienced team essential

HIPEC in Istanbul

Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar holds certification in cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) and is one of the few surgeons in Istanbul performing this procedure at Liv Hospital Ulus. International candidates for HIPEC are evaluated through a structured multidisciplinary process, with consultations available in English, French, and Russian.

Sık Sorulan Sorular

What is HIPEC?
HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) is a surgical procedure in which heated chemotherapy solution (41–43°C) is circulated through the abdominal cavity immediately after cytoreductive surgery (CRS). It is used to treat cancers that have spread to the peritoneum — the membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
Which cancers can be treated with HIPEC?
The most common indications include peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, appendiceal tumors (pseudomyxoma peritonei), primary peritoneal mesothelioma, and selected cases of ovarian cancer. Patient selection is critical and requires multidisciplinary oncology board review.
How does heated chemotherapy work?
Hyperthermia at 41–43°C directly damages tumor cells, enhances drug uptake by malignant tissue, and overcomes some mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance. Direct intraperitoneal delivery achieves drug concentrations 20–1,000 times higher than systemic chemotherapy while limiting systemic toxicity.
What is cytoreductive surgery (CRS)?
Cytoreductive surgery aims to remove all visible peritoneal tumor deposits. Complete cytoreduction (CC-0: no residual tumor) is the most important predictor of survival benefit from HIPEC. The extent of peritoneal involvement is quantified by the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI).
Who is a candidate for CRS+HIPEC?
Ideal candidates have limited peritoneal disease (low PCI score), good performance status (ECOG 0–1), no extra-abdominal metastases, and tumor histology amenable to the procedure. Careful patient selection by an experienced multidisciplinary team is essential to maximize benefit and minimize risk.
How long does CRS+HIPEC take?
The combined procedure typically takes 6–12 hours depending on the extent of cytoreduction required. It is a major operation performed under general anesthesia. Hospital stay is typically 7–14 days, with full recovery requiring 4–8 weeks.
What are the risks of HIPEC?
As a major abdominal procedure, CRS+HIPEC carries risks including anastomotic leak, wound complications, hematological toxicity from intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and prolonged ileus. These risks are substantially reduced when the procedure is performed by an experienced, HIPEC-certified surgical team at a high-volume center.
Is Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar HIPEC-certified?
Yes. Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar holds certification in cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) and is one of the few surgeons in Istanbul performing this procedure. All candidates are evaluated by a multidisciplinary oncology board before proceeding.

Book a HIPEC Consultation

Contact Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar to evaluate your candidacy for CRS+HIPEC in Istanbul.