Intraperitoneal (IP) Therapy for Cancer
Intraperitoneal (IP) therapy is a treatment for cancer in the abdominal cavity. Chemotherapy (chemo) is medicine to kill cancer cells that is put directly into the abdominal cavity. IP therapy is often done with other treatments including surgery or chemo given through a vein.
How IP therapy works
Chemo is dripped through a tube into the peritoneal space. This is the space between the muscles and organs in the abdominal cavity. The chemo stays inside the space for a few days as it comes into contact with the tissues inside your abdominal cavity. This lets the chemo directly affect the cancer cells. This therapy works to kill cancer cells in the abdominal cavity and helps shrink tumors there.
|
Getting a peritoneal port
Before receiving IP therapy, a peritoneal port needs to be placed. This is a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. One end of the catheter is in the peritoneal space. The other end of the catheter is attached to a wider piece of tube that stays outside the body.
IP therapy is injected through the port. The procedure to put in a port takes about 1 to 2 hours and is done 2 to 14 days before IP treatment is given.
|
Having IP therapy
- You lie down on a table. An intravenous (IV) line is put into a vein in your arm or hand. This line supplies fluids and medicines.
- A topical anesthetic is put on your port site. A special needle with a tube attached is put into your port.
- Chemo is dripped through the tube into the port and goes into your abdominal cavity. You may feel some cramping in your abdominal cavity while the chemo is dripped in.
- You will be asked to move from side to side to make sure the fluid spreads throughout your abdominal cavity. Receiving the chemo can take about 2 to 4 hours. The chemo stays in your body for a few days, and then is slowly absorbed by the body.
After IP therapy
- As IP therapy adds fluid to your abdominal cavity, you will have a feeling of pressure and bloating. It may help if you walk around after treatment, or sit upright.
- Wear comfortable clothing with a stretchy waistband for the next few days.
- As the fluid is absorbed by your body, you may need to urinate more often.
- You may also be told to drink a lot of fluids during this process.
|
Risks and possible complications of IP therapy
These include:
- Infection
- Failure to slow growth of or kill cancer cells
- Damage to healthy tissue and organs
- Infertility
Your healthcare provider will tell you about other risks that may apply to you.
|
Possible side effects of IP therapy
Chemotherapy medications are used during this treatment so the side effects of this treatment are similar to those of chemo. Side effects will depend on the type of chemo given, but can include:
- Tiredness
- Mouth sores
- Itchy, dry skin
- Changes in skin color
- Hair loss
- Changes in or loss of nails
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of sexual desire
- Bleeding problems
- Easy bruising
Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the side effects you might expect and how to manage them.
|
Call the healthcare provider
Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
- Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider
- Redness, swelling, or worsening pain around the port site
- Unexplained bleeding
- Extreme tiredness that does not get better between treatments
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or trouble breathing
- Rapid, irregular heartbeat; chest pain
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Constant feeling of being cold
- A cut or rash that swells, turns red, feels hot or painful, or begins to ooze
- Any other signs or symptoms indicated by your healthcare provider
|