46-YEAR-OLD WOMAN UNDERGOES HIPEC THERAPY TO BEAT PERITONEAL CANCER

46-YEAR-OLD WOMAN UNDERGOES HIPEC THERAPY TO BEAT PERITONEAL CANCER 

A 46-year-old woman from Kalyan experienced ongoing issues with her menstrual cycle and ovarian cysts, leading to the removal of her uterus. After a year of recovery, she began suffering from severe abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and having difficulty sleeping. She sought medical help and underwent further testing, which revealed there was fluid accumulation in her abdomen. 

The fluid was tested, and she was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer after which she consulted oncologists at Fortis Hospital Kalyan for treatment. The cause of the cancer was unclear - whether ovarian or peritoneal origin as her uterus and ovaries were removed earlier. She also underwent BRCA gene testing to check for hereditary mutations. She underwent Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), followed by systemic chemotherapy. She was recommended regular checkups for over a year now. After achieving remission, her health significantly improved. She regained her strength, began performing yoga and exercises, and resumed her regular activities, steadily gaining weight, started travelling to various places and rebuilding her life. 

Dr Harshit Shah, Associate Surgical Oncologist, Fortis Hospital Kalyan said, “The patient received early intervention in the form of surgery and chemotherapy, and that made a big difference. Early detection of ovarian cancer is crucial for effective treatment. Patients are often present with vague abdominal symptoms, which can be misdiagnosed as acid reflux. If symptoms persist for 4-6 weeks, further investigation with sonography or CT scans is recommended to catch the disease early.” 

Dr Uma Dangi, Consultant Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital Mulund & Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi said, “Early detection of cancer is crucial; when detected at early stages, it can be curable, and in advanced stages, cancer can be incurable and lead to long-term morbidity and mortality. Screening is mainly useful in breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. High-risk individuals will have a different screening process, whereas average risk individuals will have a different screening process.”