Doctors at KIMS Seethammadhara successfully performed a nearly nine-hour-long advanced surgical procedure on a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. The team combined cytoreductive surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), marking a significant step in the management of complex gynaecological malignancies.
Patient Presentation and Diagnostic Findings
As per the press release, the patient, a homemaker from Visakhapatnam, presented with complaints of severe abdominal pain. Addressing the media, Dr. Krovvidi Lakshminarayana Rao, Surgical Oncologist, said that detailed investigations—including imaging studies and diagnostic tests—confirmed advanced ovarian cancer associated with significant abdominal fluid accumulation (ascites).
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Enables Surgical Planning
Initially, the patient underwent six cycles of chemotherapy. Following this treatment, clinicians observed a substantial reduction in tumour size—from approximately 7 cm—along with a marked decrease in ascites. Based on this favourable response, the multidisciplinary team decided to proceed with cytoreductive surgery followed by HIPEC to maximise disease control.
Understanding HIPEC and Its Clinical Advantages
Explaining the technique, Dr. Lakshminarayana Rao noted that HIPEC is administered after the surgical removal of all visible cancerous deposits within the abdominal cavity. During the procedure, heated chemotherapy drugs are circulated inside the abdomen for a specified duration.
“The heat enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy by allowing deeper penetration into residual cancer cells,” he explained. “Unlike conventional chemotherapy, HIPEC delivers treatment locally, thereby minimising systemic side effects.”
Reducing Recurrence and Improving Outcomes
Beyond removing visible tumours, the combined approach targets microscopic residual cancer cells, significantly lowering the risk of disease recurrence. According to Dr. Lakshminarayana Rao, HIPEC has demonstrated promising outcomes in improving disease control, long-term survival, and quality of life, particularly in carefully selected cases of ovarian cancer.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach and Recovery
A dedicated multidisciplinary team performed the surgery, including anaesthesiologists led by Dr. T. A. R. Varma and the critical care team headed by Dr. Ramakrishna. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well and was discharged in stable condition, the doctors confirmed.
This successful outcome highlights the role of advanced surgical techniques and coordinated team-based care in improving outcomes for patients with complex oncological conditions.