Singapore’s Farrer Park Hospital brings PIPAC treatment

The treatment is used to combat cancers located in the lining of the abdomen.

Singapore’s Farrer Park Hospital has introduced the pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy (PIPAC) treatment for patients with peritoneal cancer, which affects the lining of the abdomen,  according to a press release.

The 30-minute minimally invasive keyhole treatment converts chemotherapy into fine droplets at high pressure when introduced directly into the peritoneal cavity, where major organs such as the stomach and intestines are housed.

The PIPAC procedure at the hospital is led by surgical oncologists Dr. Melissa Teo and Dr. Grace Tan, who have both worked at the National Cancer Centre Singapore previously.

Advanced cancers of the stomach, ovary, pancreas and colon usually metastasize and spread to the peritoneum. At this stage, surgery to remove these tumors may benefit some patients, but in the case where the tumors are widespread and is not recommended for the patient to undergo surgery, PIPAC can be implemented to shrink the tumors.