Decatur, Ga. – The popular show “Grey’s Anatomy” of ABC will feature the Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure in its episode airing on January 21, 2010. HIPEC is an advanced procedure that has been shown to extend the lives of patients with certain types of abdominal cancers by an average of 21 months . It’s done by administering heated chemotherapy directly, rather than intravenously (IV), to cancer sites during surgery, essentially bathing the abdomen with medication. This innovative procedure is used to treat cancer that has spread to the abdominal cavity, including cancers of the stomach, colon, appendix, large and small intestines, and ovaries.
Although HIPEC is known to double the survival rates of patients with intraperitoneal cancers, “ HIPEC can even cure some forms of these diseases , meaning some patients become cancer-free after having the HIPEC procedure , and we’re very excited about that,” says Dr. Michael Quiñones, M.D., FACS a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist based in the Atlanta area.
HIPEC is just now making its way to prime time TV, but Dr. Quiñones has been performing this procedure for more than 10 years . He is the first surgeon in Georgia to perform this procedure , and has helped patients become cancer-free by administering HIPEC in the operating room immediately after surgically removing all visible tumors. DeKalb Medical is one of only two hospitals in Georgia to offer this innovative cancer treatment.
Jerre Ramlow, age 74, whose cancer was cured in part from HIPEC treatment from Dr. Quiñones, says, “I have been cancer-free for the past two and a half years now… the high quality of life I have today is due to being in Dr. Quiñones’s care. Those facing cancer should consider HIPEC as a treatment option.”
To learn more about the HIPEC procedure and review patient testimonials, visit DeKalb Medical’s Cancer Center at http://www.dekalbmedical.org/
