Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy (HITHOC) for Pleural Mesothelioma
Posted on: March 11, 2024 *Updated on: May 27, 2024Similar to HIPEC, HITHOC targets mesothelioma located in the chest cavity, specifically pleural mesothelioma. This approach involves the application of heated chemotherapy directly into the thoracic cavity following surgical interventions aimed at removing tumor mass from the chest area. The principle behind HITHOC is akin to that of HIPEC, leveraging the benefits of heat to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.
By applying chemotherapy in a heated, localized manner, HITHOC aims to destroy residual cancer cells that surgery alone might not eliminate. This technique is part of a multimodal treatment strategy, combining surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy, to provide a comprehensive attack against mesothelioma.
However, the suitability of HITHOC for an individual patient depends on various factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, and the specific characteristics of their mesothelioma. As research continues, this therapy is being refined to maximize their benefits for patients battling this challenging disease.
Remember this is a significant surgery and must be taken very seriously before deciding on doing it.