Hillel Yaffe: Utilizing Hyperthermic Chemotherapy on Ovarian Cancer Patient

For the first time at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, a surgical procedure was performed to remove a cancerous tumor incorporating a novel treatment where chemotherapy is heated and infiltrated into the abdomen. The surgery was successfully carried out on a female patient diagnosed with malignant ovarian cancer by the senior staff of the Gynecological Oncology unit in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department

4/12/2023

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center performed, for the first time, surgery to remove a malignant tumor and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). The surgery was performed by Prof. Ilan Bruchim, Director of the Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology Department, and Dr. David Aranovich, Director of Liver and Gallbladder Surgery, both at the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. They both underwent training in Israel and abroad to perform this novel technique.

This surgery is complex and is composed of several stages. Initially, an endoscopic (laparoscopic) surgery is performed, during which a thorough examination of all abdominal and pelvic organs is conducted. Following this, an assessment of the spread of disease is made. If the surgeons determine that it is feasible to proceed and perform a complete excision of the growth and affected tissues, they move on to open surgery. In the open surgery, the uterus and ovaries are excised, and the affected tissues are completely removed. After ensuring that no growths remain in the abdominal and pelvic cavities, the next part of the procedure begins, involving the washing of the abdomen with hyperthermic chemotherapy at a high concentration and temperature, reaching 42 degrees Celsius. Using specialized equipment, the heated chemotherapy is perfused into the abdominal cavity for about an hour and a half, ensuring that the chemotherapeutic treatment directly targets the cancerous cells, leading to their most effective destruction."

Surgery using a cytotoxic agent at the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center

For whom is the treatment intended?

Metastasized ovarian and tubal cancer patients who cannot be treated surgically receive prior chemotherapy treatment. After 3-4 rounds of treatment, if there is a regression of the disease, surgery is conducted to remove the entire tumor. After the surgery, the patient continues chemotherapy and biological treatment. Recently, HIPEC’s efficiency was reported. Research conducted in Holland reported a significant improvement in the response and survival of patients with ovarian and tubal cancer who received the treatment. It is important to note that Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy was found efficient in certain cases of patients with digestive system malignancy and is currently performed at several medical centers in the country.

"In this case, the patient was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer and received preliminary chemotherapy at the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center; after observing disease regression, it was decided to proceed with surgery for complete removal of the growth, followed by hyperthermic chemotherapy. The surgery was successful, thanks to effective collaboration among the hospital's professional teams. The patient was admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department for ongoing recovery and monitoring and was discharged in good overall condition," stated Professor Ilan Bruchim, Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Oncology Department at Hillel Yaffe. "The patient is to continue chemotherapy in the department; based on the characteristics of the growth and genetic markers, a tailored biological therapy will be provided."

In conclusion, Prof. Bruchim emphasizes: “The treatment of ovarian and tubal cancer is highly complex, and long-term survival rates are relatively low. However, to our satisfaction, significant improvements in response and survival rates for these patients have been observed in recent years due to the introduction of personalized, innovative treatments, biological therapies, and advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies. Despite reports on the efficacy of hyperthermic chemotherapy in ovarian and tubal cancer treatment, there is an ongoing discussion in the medical community. Several significant studies worldwide aim to continue examining this treatment's effectiveness and side effects. It is crucial to understand that individual responses to oncological treatment and survival rates vary significantly and depend on numerous factors, including the patient's medical condition, the type and extent of the underlying disease, and the feasibility of complete resection of all affected tissues and the administration of chemotherapy during the surgical procedure. We will continue monitoring the latest literature updates to offer our patients the most advanced, effective, and safest treatments."