What To Expect Under Cytoreduction

by Dynamix Group Writer

Cytoreduction is a common therapy method used to de-bulk or reduce the size of a cancerous tumour throughout the peritoneal cavity. Surgery and radiation are two common cytoreduction methods. It is performed with peritonectomy and chemotherapy to remove as much of the cancerous part as possible. When the mesothelioma is in the abdominal cavity, cytoreduction is performed with peritonectomy that involves removing parts of various organs like the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas and many others. When combined with chemotherapy, it can kill cancer and extend life expectancy.

What to expect?

Cytoreduction is a complex process that can last up to 10 – 12 hours. Due to the lengthy process, patients are advised to get admitted to the hospital a day before the surgery. This is when all the preoperative testing is done.

Surgery

Since a cytoreduction therapy is a complex process, it is always performed by an expert and experienced doctor. During the procedure, surgeons use a tool called an electrosurgical hand piece that is very effective while removing the mesothelioma tumours. It is beneficial because of the intense amount of heat it generates via high-voltage electricity. This burns the diseased tissues at the edges of the incision. Once the surgery is over, high-quality surgical sutures from brands like Sutures India, Ethicon, and more are used to sew up the skin.

Once the edges of the incision are burnt, the stray cancer cells cannot push back into the abdomen again. This ultimately prevents a mesothelioma tumour from growing back from the stray cancer cells after the surgery is completed.

A peritoneal dialysis is performed with the help of a peritoneal dialysis catheter, a plastic tube placed into the peritoneal cavity in your abdomen that allows the dialysis fluid to enter and remove the water and waste from the blood inside the body.

Cytoreduction with Chemotherapy

Once the surgery is completed, Hyperthermic Intraoperative Chemotherapy is done. It is a process of introducing a heated, sterile solution mixed with chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity. Heating the solution and circulating it for an extended period of time increases its effectiveness and also allows the maximum absorption of chemotherapy. Better absorption also limits the exposure of chemotherapy to the healthy cells and lowers the side effects of the conventional chemotherapy.

Risks

Cytoreduction is a complex process and may have the possibility of developing the following complications:

Nausea
Diarrhoea
Blood Clots
Abnormal Heart Beats

Certain measures can be taken to make the recovery faster like walking as soon as possible after the surgery can help to prevent blood clots forming in the legs. Taking timely medications, as prescribed by the doctor, can help to prevent side effects like nausea and vomiting that can put stress on the incision and slow the healing process.