Term: HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy)
Definition: HIPEC is a cancer treatment method that involves the direct application of heated chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity after surgical removal of tumors.
Phonetic Pronunciation: (HY-peck)
Etymological Origin: The term "HIPEC" is an acronym derived from the words "Hyperthermic" (from the Greek hyper- meaning "over" and thermos meaning "heat"), "Intraperitoneal" (from Latin intra- meaning "within" and peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity), and "Chemotherapy" (from Greek chemo- meaning "chemical" and therapeia meaning "treatment").
Significance in Asbestos Context: HIPEC is significant in the context of asbestos because it is a treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the abdominal lining caused by asbestos exposure. By delivering heated chemotherapy directly to the affected area, HIPEC can target cancer cells more effectively while minimizing systemic side effects. This method has shown promise in improving survival rates and quality of life for patients with asbestos-related peritoneal mesothelioma.
Synonyms or Related Terms: Heated chemotherapy, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, peritoneal cancer treatment.
Example Sentence: "Patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure may benefit from HIPEC, which combines surgery with heated chemotherapy to target cancer cells in the abdominal cavity."
Common Misconceptions:
