Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, and it has historically been difficult to treat with standard chemotherapy alone. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, commonly known as HIPEC surgery, combines tumor removing surgery with a heated chemotherapy wash delivered directly into the abdomen. Because the treatment targets the cancer at its source rather than circulating through the entire bloodstream, it can allow doctors to use higher concentrations of chemotherapy while potentially reducing some of the side effects associated with traditional intravenous treatment. For patients whose mesothelioma is confined to the abdominal cavity, HIPEC surgery may offer a more aggressive treatment path than chemotherapy alone, although it is not an option for everyone, and outcomes vary from patient to patient depending on the stage and type of disease. Because peritoneal mesothelioma is rare and its early symptoms, such as abdominal swelling or discomfort, can resemble far more common digestive conditions, many patients are not diagnosed until the disease has already progressed, which makes understanding every available treatment option, including HIPEC surgery, especially important.
A mesothelioma diagnosis affects far more than a patient’s health. It can also create significant financial strain from medical bills, lost income, and the cost of ongoing care, home health support, and travel to specialized treatment centers. At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., our team helps mesothelioma patients and their families pursue compensation to help cover the full scope of their treatment and other losses. Our founding partner, Joseph P. Williams, has represented asbestos exposure victims for decades and has never lost a mesothelioma case. He and our legal team can meet with you in your home to discuss your diagnosis and begin building your case, and we encourage anyone facing a mesothelioma diagnosis to reach out to our firm to learn more about the legal options that may be available to them.
HIPEC stands for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The name describes exactly what the treatment involves: chemotherapy drugs heated above body temperature and delivered directly into the peritoneal cavity, the space that surrounds the organs in the abdomen. HIPEC surgery is typically used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma, a form of the disease that develops in the abdominal lining rather than around the lungs, as is the case with pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma can be difficult to treat with standard chemotherapy because the drugs travel through the entire bloodstream before reaching the cancer, which limits how much medication can safely reach the tumor site without harming healthy tissue elsewhere in the body. HIPEC surgery attempts to address this challenge by bathing the abdominal cavity directly in a heated chemotherapy solution after surgeons have removed as much visible cancer as possible. The heat itself may help the chemotherapy penetrate cancer cells more effectively while limiting the drug’s exposure to the rest of the body.
Because HIPEC delivers medication locally rather than systemically, doctors can often use significantly higher doses than would generally be considered safe with traditional intravenous chemotherapy. This localized approach is one of the reasons HIPEC surgery has become an accepted treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma at a number of specialized cancer centers, although it remains a complex procedure that is not appropriate for every patient or every stage of disease.
HIPEC surgery generally takes place in two connected stages during a single operation. The first stage is called cytoreductive surgery. After placing the patient under general anesthesia, the surgical team makes an incision in the abdomen and works to identify and remove all visible tumors and cancerous tissue, which may include portions of the abdominal lining or nearby organs affected by the disease. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, this stage alone can take several hours to complete.
Once the visible cancer has been removed, the second stage begins. Surgeons insert catheters into the abdominal cavity and connect them to a specialized pump that heats a chemotherapy solution to a controlled temperature before circulating it throughout the abdomen. The heated chemotherapy typically circulates for one to two hours while the surgical team gently repositions the patient to help the solution reach all affected surfaces evenly. Afterward, the remaining chemotherapy is drained, the abdominal cavity is rinsed with a saline solution, and the incision is closed.
This combination of tumor removal and localized chemotherapy is part of what distinguishes HIPEC from other types of mesothelioma surgery. Depending on the extent of the disease and the patient’s overall health, the entire HIPEC procedure, including the cytoreductive surgery portion, can take anywhere from six to twelve hours in the operating room.
Not every mesothelioma patient qualifies for HIPEC surgery. Because the procedure is long and physically demanding, surgeons generally look for patients who are healthy enough to tolerate extensive surgery and who have good overall performance status. Patients with significant heart, lung, or other underlying medical conditions may not be strong candidates for this particular approach and may need to explore other treatment paths with their care team.
Surgeons also consider how far the cancer has spread before recommending HIPEC. The procedure tends to work best for patients whose disease is confined to the abdominal cavity and who do not have extensive cancer outside that area. The cell type of the mesothelioma can matter as well. Epithelioid mesothelioma, which tends to respond more predictably to treatment than other cell types, is generally considered more favorable for this approach than sarcomatoid or mixed cell type disease.
Finally, surgeons need to believe they can remove all or nearly all of the visible tumor during the cytoreductive stage of the operation. If imaging suggests the cancer is too widespread to be fully resected, a care team may recommend systemic chemotherapy or another treatment approach instead. A patient’s prior treatment history can factor into this decision as well, since previous chemotherapy or radiation may affect how a patient’s body tolerates a lengthy combined procedure. Because treatment options for this disease continue to evolve, patients and families may benefit from discussing recent advances in peritoneal mesothelioma treatment with their oncologist, and from seeking a second opinion at a cancer center that regularly performs HIPEC surgery, to understand what options may currently be available to them.
HIPEC surgery may offer several potential benefits for eligible peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Because the chemotherapy is delivered directly to the abdominal cavity rather than through the bloodstream, doctors can often use higher concentrations of the drug while potentially reducing some of the systemic side effects associated with traditional intravenous chemotherapy, such as widespread nausea or hair loss. Combining surgery with localized chemotherapy may also help address microscopic cancer cells that remain after visible tumors are removed, which in many cases can lower the likelihood that the cancer will return in the treated area.
According to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center that has performed this combined procedure since the early 2000s, surgeons there have reported that roughly 80 percent of eligible patients are alive five years after treatment, with about half of that group showing no further evidence of disease. Results like these can vary significantly from patient to patient, and HIPEC surgery is not a guaranteed cure for everyone who undergoes it.
As with any major surgery, HIPEC carries risks. Patients may experience complications such as infection, bleeding, or issues related to the extended anesthesia time required for the procedure. The chemotherapy itself can also cause side effects, including temporary changes in kidney function or digestive issues, even when delivered locally rather than intravenously. Recovery from the combined cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy can also be lengthy and physically demanding for many patients. Anyone considering HIPEC surgery should discuss both the potential benefits and the possible risks in detail with their treatment team before deciding whether this approach may be right for their specific diagnosis.
Recovery from HIPEC surgery tends to be more involved than recovery from many other surgical procedures because it combines major abdominal surgery with a course of chemotherapy. Most patients can expect to remain in the hospital for roughly one to two weeks after the procedure so that their care team can monitor for complications, manage pain, and support their nutrition while their digestive system recovers. Some patients may need a temporary feeding tube during this period.
After discharge, many patients continue to experience fatigue for several weeks or months as their bodies heal from both the surgery and the chemotherapy exposure. Care teams generally recommend avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activity for a period of time after surgery, often for several weeks, and patients typically need ongoing follow-up appointments, imaging, and bloodwork to monitor their recovery and watch for any signs that the cancer has returned.
Because mesothelioma is a rare disease, many patients and families find it helpful to better understand how their own situation compares to others facing a similar diagnosis. Reviewing current mesothelioma statistics alongside guidance from an oncology team can help patients and their loved ones set realistic expectations for treatment and recovery, even though every case is different and no two patients recover in exactly the same way or on the same timeline.
Treatment for mesothelioma, including HIPEC surgery, can be extremely expensive. Beyond the cost of the surgery itself, patients often face expenses related to hospital stays, follow-up care, medication, and travel to the specialized cancer centers that offer this treatment. For many families, these costs arrive at the same time as a loss of income, particularly if the patient or a caregiver is no longer able to work during treatment and recovery.
Because mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, patients may be able to pursue compensation from the companies responsible for that exposure. An attorney experienced in asbestos litigation can help evaluate your work history and exposure history to determine whether you may be able to file a claim for these costs and other losses related to your diagnosis. A few types of damages an attorney may be able to help you pursue include the following:
Every mesothelioma case is different, and the specific damages available will depend on the details of your exposure history, diagnosis, and treatment plan. At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we understand that mesothelioma impacts every patient and family differently, and we work to build a case around your specific losses rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach to your claim.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma generally have more than one potential path toward compensation, and the right option often depends on which companies are believed to be responsible for the asbestos exposure at issue. If the company or companies responsible are still in business, patients may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for their medical expenses and other losses tied to the diagnosis.
Many of the companies that historically manufactured or used asbestos products have since filed for bankruptcy. When that happens, the law generally requires these companies to set aside money in asbestos trust funds to compensate current and future victims. Filing a claim with one of these trusts is a different process than filing a lawsuit, and it typically does not involve a courtroom, but it can still provide meaningful compensation to help cover treatment costs, including the cost of HIPEC surgery.
In some cases, a patient’s exposure history may support claims against multiple companies through a combination of lawsuits and trust fund claims. Families who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma may also be able to pursue a wrongful death claim on the patient’s behalf, separate from any claim the patient may have already filed while living. Because every situation is unique, and because filing deadlines can be relatively short, patients and families are encouraged to speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis. An attorney can review your work history and medical records to help identify every potential source of compensation that may be available to you, rather than leaving money on the table simply because a particular option was never explored.
Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can leave you and your family feeling overwhelmed, especially while you are also trying to navigate treatment decisions like whether HIPEC surgery may be the right path for you. You do not have to sort through the legal side of your diagnosis on your own. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you understand your options, gather the documentation needed to support a claim, and pursue every available source of compensation on your behalf while you focus on your health and your family.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., our team is committed to helping mesothelioma patients and their families pursue the compensation they may be entitled to while they focus on treatment and time with loved ones. We can meet with you in your home if travel is difficult, and we work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. To learn more about your legal options and how our firm may be able to help, contact our firm to schedule a free case review.
Candidacy for HIPEC surgery depends on several factors, including the patient’s overall health, whether the cancer is confined to the abdominal cavity, and whether surgeons believe they can remove all or nearly all of the visible tumor. Patients with certain cell types of mesothelioma, such as epithelioid disease, are sometimes considered better candidates than others. A specialized surgical oncology team can evaluate imaging, biopsy results, and overall health to determine whether HIPEC surgery may be an appropriate option for a given patient.
Results from HIPEC surgery vary widely from patient to patient and depend on factors such as cancer stage, cell type, and overall health at the time of treatment. Some patients treated with HIPEC surgery may experience extended survival or periods with no further evidence of disease, and cancer centers that perform this procedure have reported encouraging outcomes for eligible patients in published research. However, HIPEC surgery is not a guaranteed cure, and every patient’s prognosis should be discussed individually with their own care team.
HIPEC surgery is a complex, resource-intensive procedure, and the total cost can vary depending on the hospital, the length of the hospital stay, and any complications that arise. Many health insurance plans provide some coverage for HIPEC surgery when it is recommended by an oncologist, but coverage details, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs can differ significantly between plans. Patients are encouraged to speak with their insurance provider and the treatment center’s financial counselors, as well as an attorney, to better understand what costs they may be responsible for.
Most patients spend roughly one to two weeks in the hospital following HIPEC surgery, and many continue to experience fatigue and limited activity for several weeks or months afterward as their bodies recover from both the surgery and the chemotherapy. Recovery timelines can vary considerably based on the extent of the surgery, the patient’s age and health before the procedure, and whether any complications occur. A care team can provide a more personalized estimate based on an individual patient’s circumstances.
In many cases, yes. Because mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, patients may be able to pursue compensation from responsible companies through a personal injury lawsuit, an asbestos trust fund claim, or a combination of both. An attorney experienced in mesothelioma litigation can review your work and exposure history to identify potential sources of compensation that may help offset the cost of HIPEC surgery and other treatment-related expenses.
Yes, and the applicable deadline, known as the statute of limitations, generally varies by state and by the type of claim being filed. In New York, for example, victims generally have a limited number of years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim, while asbestos trust funds typically set their own separate deadlines. Because these timelines can be relatively short and can vary by jurisdiction, it is important to speak with a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis to understand the deadlines that may apply to your situation.
As the founding partner of Williams Law Firm, Joseph P. Williams has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families. His firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for those affected by asbestos exposure, offering personalized, aggressive legal advocacy. Based in New York, Williams Law Firm provides free consultations and handles cases nationwide.
