Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Mesothelioma Treatment
Doctors may use intraperitoneal chemotherapy (also called IP chemotherapy) to treat peritoneal mesothelioma. This option allows a very high dose of chemotherapy to be delivered to the tumor and only a very low dose to the rest of the body. This helps minimize side effects, while aggressively treating the tumor.
During the procedure, one or two plastic tubes will be placed in the abdomen. Chemotherapy drugs are introduced into the abdomen through the tube. If you have two tubes, the chemotherapy is circulated in through one tube and out through the other. Researchers are now studying the effects of heating the solution containing the drugs, as they believe this will help the chemotherapy kill more cancer cells. This procedure is called heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The chemotherapy agent is heated between 40°C and 48°C and introduced into the abdomen through the tube after the tumor has been removed.
It is important to note that research into IP chemotherapy is ongoing.
If you are interested in learning more about intraperitoneal chemotherapy and other mesothelioma treatment options available, contact us for a medical opinion and a referral to a qualified physician, or complete the form below to request a free mesothelioma book of answers.
