The Cancer Center at Creighton University Medical Center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei. Intraperitoneal heated chemotherapy (HIPEC), pioneered by Dr. Brian Loggie, Director of the Cancer Center at Creighton University Medical Center, along with Cytoreductive Surgery, has proven to greatly increase long term survival.

Cytoreductive Surgery

Cytoreductive surgery is one treatment option performed with the goal of removing all visible tumors within the abdomen. During Cytoreductive surgery, the surgeon looks for all visible signs of cancer and removes them. "Complete cytoreduction" or "complete debulking" means that all of the visible tumors are successfully removed during surgery. Complete cytoreduction is associated with a higher likelihood of long term survival.

Staging

Staging refers to classifying the particular stage reached by a progressive disease. For most patients seeking advanced treatment for rare abdominal cancer, their disease has reached stage 4. The traditional TNM system does not help predict outcomes after our advanced treatment. Thus, Dr. Loggie has developed and uses a system to further classify residual tumors ultimately helping the physician to make recommendations for treatment after cytoreductive surgery.

• Complete removal of all visible tumor and negative cytology or negative microscopic margins.


• Complete removal of all visible tumor and positive cytology or microscopic margins.


• Minimal residual tumor, nodule (s) < 0.5 cm.


• Gross residual tumor, nodule (s) > 0.5 cm but < 2.0 cm.


• Extensive disease remaining, nodules > 2 cm.

Intraperitoneal Heated Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

After cytoreductive surgery, the abdomen is bathed with a hot chemotherapy solution. The solution enters the upper part of the abdomen through tubing and filters downward. The solution then comes back out through a tube and into the pumping and warming device again. This procedure is called Intraperitoneal Heated Chemotherapy (HIPEC) and is used in combination with cytoreduction surgery to kill microscopic cells released from tumors during surgery or to kill cells released into the abdomen in cases of ruptured appendix.

Treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis using debulking surgery and Intraperitoneal Heated Chemotherapy (HIPEC) allows for improved prognosis, and outcomes are best when it is the initial treatment for this cancer.

Intraperitoneal Heated Chemotherapy (HIPEC): This treatment is used after cytoreductive surgery to kill any microscopic cells remaining after surgery.