Technology & treatment

HIPEC / heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Principle & mechanism

HIPEC circulates heated anticancer-drug solution in the abdominal cavity, generally during surgery for selected patients with peritoneal disease.

What informs suitability

Assessment considers cancer type, peritoneal extent, feasibility of tumour removal, previous care, organ health, and nutrition. Evidence differs by disease.

Typical pathway

Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC are distinct parts of a selected plan. Perfusion is followed by close monitoring and surgical recovery.

Risks & evidence limits

HIPEC is not routine intravenous chemotherapy or a replacement for all systemic treatment. Discuss infection, bowel leakage, renal effects, and major surgical complications.

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Original BKC explainers

24 seconds · silent text video

Radiation, ablation, surgery: what differs?

Read the video transcript

Radiation targets a planned area. CyberKnife uses X-rays. It is not surgery with a blade.
Ablation acts on a local target. RFA uses heat from radiofrequency energy. Risks and target location need assessment.
Surgery describes a procedure. Procedure, access approach, and recovery are three different questions.
Start with the care goal. Discuss options and combinations with a doctor, based on diagnosis and patient condition.

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Reading sources

Prepared by BKC editorial, 22 October 2026. General education, not a diagnosis or personal treatment selection. A topic listing does not establish availability at a particular hospital.

Connect the concepts

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Technology & treatment

Interventional oncology / TACE

Technology & treatment Understand the topic →

Specialties & teams

Digestive oncology

Specialties & teams Understand the topic →

SEE THEM SIDE BY SIDE

Different names. Understand how they work.

Compare principles, assessment, and evidence limits. A reading tool, not a way to select your treatment.

Concept diagram: HIPEC / heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy — HIPEC / heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Concept diagram: Interventional oncology / TACE — Interventional oncology / TACE

Read principles, assessment, and risks

Concept comparison, without rankings or recommendations.
Aspect	HIPEC / heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy	Interventional oncology / TACE
How it works	HIPEC circulates heated anticancer-drug solution in the abdominal cavity, generally during surgery for selected patients with peritoneal disease.	Interventional oncology uses imaging to guide catheter or needle procedures. TACE delivers medicines and embolic material into tumour-supplying vessels in selected cases.
What is assessed	Assessment considers cancer type, peritoneal extent, feasibility of tumour removal, previous care, organ health, and nutrition. Evidence differs by disease.	Assessment considers vascular anatomy, tumour type and extent, organ function, clotting, and other therapies. Liver reserve is especially important for hepatic treatment.
Risks & limits	HIPEC is not routine intravenous chemotherapy or a replacement for all systemic treatment. Discuss infection, bowel leakage, renal effects, and major surgical complications.	Pain, fever, organ dysfunction, bleeding, or non-target embolisation may occur. TACE, ablation, and systemic therapy are not interchangeable.

HIPEC / heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy Interventional oncology / TACE

Schematics are conceptual. Technologies with different purposes are not necessarily alternatives. Open each topic for its sources and context.

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Doctors assess options from the case, beyond a technology name alone.

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