Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) is an advanced surgical procedure used to remove as much cancerous tissue as possible from the body, primarily in cases where tumors have spread within the abdomen or peritoneal cavity. It is often combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) to eliminate microscopic cancer cells and improve treatment outcomes.

Conditions Treated with Cytoreductive Surgery

• Peritoneal carcinomatosis (cancer spread in the abdominal lining)
• Ovarian cancer
• Colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastasis
• Appendiceal cancer
• Mesothelioma of the peritoneum

Procedure Overview

Cytoreductive surgery involves:

1. Removing visible tumors and affected tissues, sometimes including parts of organs like the intestines, spleen, or liver.
2. HIPEC treatment – A heated chemotherapy solution is circulated in the abdominal cavity to kill remaining cancer cells.

Benefits of Cytoreductive Surgery

• Increases survival rates in advanced cancers
• Improves quality of life by reducing tumor burden
• Enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy

This procedure is highly specialized and requires evaluation by an expert surgical oncology team to determine its suitability for each patient.