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The CHARLIE-2 trial is the first randomized study to directly compare HIPEC and PIPAC, two methods of delivering chemotherapy directly into the abdomen for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Researchers will evaluate safety, quality of life, treatment response, and cost to determine which approach may provide the greatest benefit for patients who are not candidates for complete tumor-removal surgery.

Genetic mutations may determine which ovarian cancer patients do better following HIPEC

This study suggests that the biology of a colorectal cancer tumor may influence how well it responds to different HIPEC chemotherapy drugs. Researchers found that the CMS4 subtype appeared particularly sensitive to mitomycin C and irinotecan, raising the possibility that future HIPEC treatments could be tailored to a patient's specific tumor characteristics.

Pancreatic cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen (called the peritoneum) is often difficult to treat and is associated with poor outcomes. Standard treatment typically involves chemotherapy, but survival rates remain low. Researchers conducted a systematic review to examine whether a treatment approach called cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may improve outcomes for some patients with pancreatic cance

Researchers found that blue LED light reduced the growth and spread of gastric cancer peritoneal metastases in a mouse model, highlighting a potential new treatment approach that warrants further study.

Guide to treatment for uterine and endometrial cancers

Short term fasting may improve chemotherapy treatment for Ovarian Cancer

Peritoneal metastases occur when cancer spreads to the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum). This can happen with cancers such as colorectal, appendiceal, gastric (stomach), ovarian cancers, and peritoneal mesothelioma. Historically, patients with peritoneal metastases had very limited treatment options and poor survival. Researchers reviewed published studies to better understand how a treatment called cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC affected survival.

June is Uterine and Endometrial Cancers Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, share knowledge, and support the thousands of individuals and families affected by these gynecologic cancers each year. While uterine cancer is often discussed as a single disease, it actually includes two distinct cancer types: endometrial cancer, which begins in the lining of the uterus and is the most common form of uterine cancer, and uterine sarcoma, a rare cancer that develops in the musc

by Armando Sardi, MD Surgical Oncologist President, Abdominal Cancers Alliance I am a surgeon. But more than that. I am an advocate, a partner, and a relentless believer in the power of knowledge and innovative care. My calling is rooted in the unwavering belief that every patient deserves not only the best possible care, but also hope, knowledge, and a fighting chance. In the fight against advanced abdominal cancers, we stand behind a powerful treatment that is changing outc

Switching Chemotherapy Drugs During Repeat CRS-HIPEC Surgery

A cancer diagnosis impacts far more than physical health. For many patients and caregivers, the financial burden of treatment can quickly become overwhelming. Between medical bills, travel expenses, time away from work, lodging, prescriptions, childcare, and everyday household costs, financial stress often becomes an added challenge during an already difficult time. That’s why the Abdominal Cancers Alliance is proud to introduce our new Financial Assistance Resource — a resou

By Tim Morgan New Hampshire What started as a suspected case of appendicitis on Halloween 2024 quickly spiraled into a confusing medical ordeal. When I went for surgery to have my appendix removed, there was a note in MyChart about a "possible malignancy" and removal of the right side of my colon which left me thunderstruck even though the surgeon indicated that it was probably nothing. A week later, I received the words that every patient dreads - "You have cancer." The Se

I have always been a pragmatist, a teacher of English Literature who looked for logic in the narrative arc of a story. But nothing in the great works of fiction could have prepared me for the moment the story became my own—or more accurately, my son’s. My son, “Hunter”, is 43, a gifted cinematographer living in Tulsa. He sees the world through a lens of light and shadow, but in 2023, a shadow fell over us that no camera could filter out. It began with standard abdominal pain

Setayeshpour, Y., Chen, SY., Dayanidhi, D.L. et al. Ascites protects against ferroptosis and enables the peritoneal growth of ovarian cancer. Nat Commun 17, 4190 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72116-1 A newly published study in Nature Communications sheds light on an important question in ovarian cancer research: why ovarian cancer cells are often able to survive and spread throughout the abdominal cavity. Researchers from Duke University School of Medicine found

A new study from researchers, led by Dr. John Shen, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is helping doctors better understand how routine follow-up testing may improve care for people living with appendiceal cancer, a rare cancer that begins in the appendix. Researchers found that common blood tests known as tumor markers may help predict how patients respond to treatment and whether their cancer is more likely to return after surgery. The findings reinforce a

Falla-Zuniga, L.F., King, M.C., Pawlikowski, K. et al. Quality of Life After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC): Cancer Survivors’ Perspective Through In-Depth Interviews. Ann Surg Oncol 31, 7122–7132 (2024). What is this study about? This study looked at women with advanced ovarian cancer (stage III) who underwent: Cytoreductive surgery (surgery to remove as much cancer as possible) With or without HIPEC (heated chemotherapy deliv

Gudmundsdottir H, Yonkus JA, Thiels CA, Warner SG, Cleary SP, Kendrick ML, Truty MJ, Grotz TE. Oncologic Outcomes of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Highly Selected Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Nov;30(12):7833-7839. doi: 10.1245/s10434-023-14138-3. Epub 2023 Aug 19. PMID: 37596449. What is this study about? This study looked at a challenging situation: pancreatic cancer that has spread

In a room filled with warmth, courage, and an unmistakable sense of community, we gathered for our very first Living Proof event. Connected by our shared experiences with abdominal cancers, it was a celebration of shared challenges, resilience, and the power of human connection through storytelling and song. It was an experience that left us energized, inspired, and deeply moved.

Darling A, Harlev C, O’Cearbhaill R . Use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer: A multidisciplinary review. Surgical Oncology Insight, 2026; 3 What is this study about? This article looks at a treatment called HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy). HIPEC is given during surgery for cancers that have spread inside the abdomen (like ovarian cancer). Doctors circulate warm chemotherapy directly in the belly to kill cancer