Unique surgery brings hope to cancer patients

Sushila Mhatre (name changed), 62, has been undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer since 2013. She had a relapse twice and after 24 cycles of chemotherapy, her body stopped responding to treatment. Doctors then suggested Pressurised Intra-Peritoneal Aerosolised Chemotherapy (PIPAC) to her.

"We use keyhole surgery (laparoscopic) to deliver the chemo drugs directly to the affected area. Carbon dioxide is mixed to aid the dispersal. The procedure uses 1/10th the chemo drugs and allows targeted treatment," said Dr Ninad Katdare, Specialist in Peritoneal, Gastrointestinal, and Gynaecological Cancers, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai. "This will help patients with ovarian, colon, stomach, pancreas, and gall bladder cancer, which form 30 to 40 per cent of all cancer cases," Katdare said.

Since the process uses just 1/10th of drugs that would be used in a normal chemo cycle, a patient's body can withstand more cycles. It can also be used to treat cancers that affect the lining of the abdomen.

For Mhatre's family, this was the last hope. "My mother has become weak with years of treatment. We've spent almost Rs 5 lakh on her treatment and hope that PIPAC works," said Mhatre's 35-year-old son.

Mhatre had her first round of PIPAC surgery around two weeks ago and doctors say that the fluid accumulation in her abdomen has reduced by two litres. "We will need at least three cycles to see any improvement," Dr Katdare said.