Gynaecological cancers and HIPEC

Which cancers are included?

• Ovarian cancer, which often spreads inside the abdomen before it causes symptoms
• Uterine (endometrial) cancer, in the lining of the womb
• Cervical cancer, at the neck of the womb, one of the most common cancers among women in India

Warning signs

• Ovary: bloating or a swollen abdomen, feeling full quickly, loss of appetite, or needing to pass urine more often, lasting several weeks
• Uterus: any bleeding after menopause, or irregular, heavy bleeding
• Cervix: bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause, or a foul-smelling discharge

How it is diagnosed

• Pelvic examination
• Ultrasound, CT or MRI scans
• The CA-125 blood test, for ovarian cancer
• A biopsy: a sample from the lining of the womb or the cervix, or taken during surgery

Treatment

• Ovarian cancer is treated with cytoreductive surgery, which removes all visible cancer, combined with chemotherapy before or after surgery.
• Uterine cancer is usually treated by removing the uterus, ovaries and sometimes lymph nodes. This operation is very often done robotically or laparoscopically.
• Cervical cancer is treated with surgery in its early stages. More advanced cancer is treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy together.

What is HIPEC?

HIPEC stands for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

1. First, the surgeon removes all the cancer that can be seen inside the abdomen.
2. Then, while you are still under anaesthesia, a heated chemotherapy solution is circulated through the abdomen for a set time.
3. The heat and the direct contact aim to destroy cancer cells that are too small to see.

HIPEC is a major operation with a longer recovery, and it is only offered to carefully selected patients.