Hello @orillia and thank you for your post and question regarding your surgical choices. Out of curiosity is the surgery at the local hospital and/or the larger centre being done by a Gynecological Oncologist? I'm asking as Gyne Oncologist are the specialists that deal with surgery and treatment plans. Having a specialist may be an important factor in your decision. Has your doctor given their perspective on which they feel may be best in your situation?
Regarding HIPEC, for those who have not heard of this here's a description:
"HIPEC surgery, or Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, is a two-part cancer treatment combining surgery to remove visible tumors with heated chemotherapy directly applied to the abdomen. This specialized procedure aims to eliminate cancer cells that may remain after surgery, potentially improving outcomes for certain abdominal cancers."
Personally I don't know how decisions are made to offer HIPEC as a treatment option. I did google that however I don't really like to trust Dr. Google. Perhaps that's one of your questions to ask to better understand why it's being offered to you. Why would you choose this over another treatment (I'm assuming they have said you'd have chemo again post surgery if not HIPEC but that's a good question to ask too). I did read somewhere that HIPEC can only be performed by a specialist in that area so it's not something every Gyne Oncologist can perform. I also googled and for Ontario, there are a number of hospitals who are performing it now (a year ago it only seemed to the Ottawa Hospital).
@OttawaOvaWarrior I believe you received a HIPEC treatment. Are you able to lend any counsel here?
I know a few Teal Sisters received Cisplatin as a chemo treatment. It had been part of my treatment plan initially too. It is delivered via an Intraperitoneal Port vs I/V. It floods the abdomen and has an entire process of having to 'turn over' during the chemo to help it move around the abdominal cavity. My ports failed (they tried to insert them twice and each time they had to be removed...my abdomen was very angry after my surgery and did not like them). Alas, I did not get that treatment however perhaps that's also something to inquire about.
I'm also very interested to hear from others on OVd who may have been offered this and/or have received it. It appears to be coming up more in discussions.
#Treatmentandsideeffects