The  patient presented with abdominal distension, weight loss, and loss of appetite over two months and underwent Hypothermic, Intraperitoneal, Exothermic Chemotherapy (HIPEC) suregry~ 

A team led by Dr Donald Babu,Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Medicover Hospital, Navi Mumbai saved the life of a 60-year-old woman detected with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) cancer of the abdomen through a complex  Hypothermic, Intraperitoneal, Exothermic Chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery.

Ritu Khurana (name changed)*, a resident of Navi Mumbai experienced a swollen abdomen that interfered with her daily routine. Over time, her health started deteriorating, and she presented at Medicover Hospital, Navi Mumbai with abdominal distension, weight loss, and loss of appetite over two months.

Dr Donald Babu, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Medicover Hospital, Navi Mumbai said, “On arrival, she had weight loss and loss of appetite for two months, and the abdominal distension was gradual. A USG and a CT scan showed peritoneal thickening with a collection around the iliac fossa. The peritoneal thickening was suggestive of peritoneal disease metastasis and suspicious suspicion of malignancy.  Pseudomyxoma is a tumor that arises from this peritoneal lining and spreads by circulating within the abdominal cavity and is commonly seen in the age group of 50-70.  Pseudomyxoma spreads by circulating itself into the abdominal cavity. It is a benign tumor most of the time, and cannot spread through blood. The malignant variety also doesn’t spread through blood, but needs chemotherapy to treat.”

Dr Donald Babu added, “The Peudomyxoma Peritonei was also confirmed via biopsy. This benign tumor, arising from the peritoneal lining, was treated with a 12-14 hour surgery to excise the entire lining. The surgery Hypothermic, Intraperitoneal, Exothermic Chemotherapy (HIPEC) involved removing the entire peritoneal lining and administering heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity. The patient’s hospital stay was uneventful, with a blood loss of 300 ml and a one-day ICU stay. Follow-up scans at three months showed no recurrence, and the patient regained weight and appetite. Such surgeries are rare, occurring once every three to four months because the disease itself is very rare.  It is imperative to get routine body check-ups done every year to know one’s health status.”

“I was unaware of this rare cancer and started losing hope. However, the team of doctors led by Dr Babu ensured I recovered well and resumed my daily routine with ease. I am forever indebted to Medicover Hospital for improving my quality of life,” said the patient Ritu Khurana (name changed)