Peritonectomy, also known as cytoreductive surgery (CRS), is a highly specialized surgical procedure aimed at removing cancerous tumors and affected tissue from the peritoneum, the thin membrane lining the abdominal cavity. This approach is often employed for peritoneal carcinomatosis, a condition where cancer has spread extensively within the abdominal cavity, commonly originating from ovarian, colorectal, appendix, or gastric cancers. The procedure involves meticulous surgical techniques to excise visible tumors and reduce the cancer burden to the smallest possible level, ideally leaving no visible disease behind.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) complements peritonectomy by delivering heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity. This method is typically performed immediately after tumor removal during the same surgical session. The heated chemotherapy solution is circulated throughout the abdominal cavity for 60–90 minutes, targeting residual microscopic cancer cells that may remain after surgery. The heat enhances the effectiveness of the chemotherapy agents by improving drug penetration into tissues and increasing cancer cell sensitivity. Unlike systemic chemotherapy, HIPEC minimizes systemic toxicity by confining the drug’s action to the peritoneal area.

Together, peritonectomy and HIPEC represent a powerful combined approach for treating select patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, offering the potential for prolonged survival and even curative outcomes in some cases. However, these procedures are complex and demanding, requiring expertise from a multidisciplinary team and careful patient selection based on factors such as the type of cancer, extent of disease, and overall health of the individual. Despite their intensity, these treatments provide hope for patients with limited options, significantly improving quality of life and survival prospects for many.