Chennai, July 2023: Gleneagles Global Hospital (GGHC), a leading healthcare institution known for its excellence in providing comprehensive medical serviceslaunched South India’s First Dedicated Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Centre for the Management of advanced abdominal cancers in Chennai today. Dr. J Radhakrishnan, Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation inaugurated the facility was launched in the presence of Dr. Alok Khullar, CEO, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, and Prof Dr.Rajasundaram S, Director, Gleneagles Global Cancer Centre Head – Surgical Oncology.
Over 50% of ovarian cancer, 30-50% of stomach cancer, and 20% of colorectal cancer spread to the peritoneal surface of the abdominal cavity. Patients with peritoneal surface malignancy have been treated with palliative chemotherapy for years along with supportive care to increase the survival rate by 1-2 years. With an aggressive surgical approach like Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, more than 50% of these patients survive for over 5 years.
The HIPEC Centre launched is equipped with specialized facilities and a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, nurses, and other support staff. The center will offer a holistic approach to patient care, providing support services such as counseling, nutritional guidance, and pain management, and also contribute to research and advancements in the field, leading to improved outcomes for patients in the long run.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. J Radhakrishnan, Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation said, “It requires high levels of precision, advanced technologies and the latest infrastructure to treat intraperitoneal abdominal cancer. The newly launched HIPEC centre at Gleneagles Global Health City is a valuable addition to the state’s healthcare infrastructure in providing advanced and high-quality cancer care and treatment.”
Speaking at the launch, Prof. Dr. S. Rajasundaram, Director – Gleneagles Global Cancer Centre & Head – Surgical Oncology at Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, said, “While conventional chemotherapy circulates throughout the body in the bloodstream, HIPEC delivers chemotherapydirectly to the cancer cells within the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). This procedure increases the efficacy of the drug as the cells are subjected to higher doses of chemotherapy. Before commencing with HIPEC, the patient undergoes complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) where all macroscopic diseases from the abdominal cavity are surgically removed. We have performed over 100 successful HIPEC procedures in patients suffering from advanced abdominal cancer within the cavity.”
The cytoreductive surgery involves the resection of organs like the rectosigmoid, antrum of the stomach, and gall bladder. Following the CRS procedure, a heated, sterilized chemotherapy solution is delivered to the abdomen by a special dedicated HIPEC machine to penetrate and destroy the remaining cancer cells. The solution is heated to the temperature of a warm bath approximately up to 41-42 degrees Celsius [between 105 and 109 F] for approximately 90 minutes. The solution is then drained from the abdomen, and the incision is closed.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Alok Khullar, CEO, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, and Mr. Anurag Yadav, CEO, IHH Healthcare India said, “ The establishment of a dedicated center for HIPEC indicates a commitment to providing state-of-the-art care for patients with abdominal cancer. Dr. Rajasundaram and his team of experts are paving the way for best-in-class treatment for intraperitoneal abdominal cancer.”
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