Webinar: FAQs About HIPEC for Mesothelioma Patients
Treatment & Doctors
Written by Sean Marchese, MS, RN | Edited By Walter Pacheco
On May 9, at 8 p.m. ET, The Mesothelioma Center will host an expert panel focused on HIPEC surgery, one of the best options for improving the survival and quality of life of peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
The panel will feature 16-year peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Tamron Little and her doctor, Edward Levine, M.D. They will explore the procedure from a doctor’s and a patient’s perspective.
At the end of the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. A recording will be available for those who can’t attend the live session.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It can affect the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, also known as HIPEC, is one of the most effective treatment approaches for the disease.
What Is HIPEC?
HIPEC is a complex and advanced surgical technique for peritoneal mesothelioma cancer. It combines the benefits of surgery and chemotherapy. The procedure first involves the removal of visible tumors from the peritoneum. Then, the surgeon infuses heated chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity. The heat enhances the absorption of the chemotherapy drugs. This approach destroys any remaining cancer cells that might linger after surgery.
Studies show that HIPEC can improve survival by several months or years. The median survival after HIPEC surgery is more than five years. Almost 90% of patients who undergo HIPEC live for five or more years.
What You’ll Learn During the Webinar
During the presentation, Little and Levine will answer common questions about HIPEC. Examples include:
- Who is eligible for HIPEC treatment?
- How do I get HIPEC treatment?
- How does HIPEC work for mesothelioma?
- What are the risks and side effects of HIPEC?
- What is the typical recovery process for HIPEC?
- What happens after HIPEC?
Patients and their families who attend will learn valuable information about HIPEC. Answers from Little and Levine can help you decide whether to consider HIPEC for yourself.
The two will share stories from their experiences undergoing and performing the procedure. Little will explore how HIPEC affected her daily life and discuss her recovery process. Levine will explain who benefits most from HIPEC and what doctors must consider.
By presenting both perspectives, this webinar will cover all you need to know about HIPEC. Attendees can also submit their own questions for the experts to answer at the end.
About the Experts
During a pregnancy ultrasound, Tamron Little’s doctors noticed a growth in her abdomen. In 2007, she received a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis. Little believes her mesothelioma resulted from secondary asbestos exposure. Shortly after giving birth, she underwent successful treatment, including surgery with HIPEC and intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
Little, a resident of Florida, is now the proud mother of four children and an ordained minister who enjoys spending time with her family. She became a contributing writer for Asbestos.com in 2018, sharing her experiences with those affected by mesothelioma. She attributes her recovery to Dr. Edward Levine’s exceptional care at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Dr. Edward Levine is a renowned specialist who treats peritoneal malignancies, particularly mesothelioma. He is the chief of surgical oncology services at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Comprehensive Cancer Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Levine is recognized for his treatment combination of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, commonly known as HIPEC. The HIPEC procedure has significantly improved patient outcomes in recent years.
Levine’s clinical interests extend to stomach, breast, liver and esophageal cancers, melanoma, and other gastrointestinal malignancies. In addition to his clinical duties, he is a surgical oncology professor. Levine has been part of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center since 1998 and has led numerous clinical trials to enhance treatment protocols.
