What if there were a new and better cancer treatment that could get to areas traditional chemotherapy can't,one that goes straight to the tumour site, battles harder, travels less through your blood, and offers you a real shot at more time… and more life?

Now think about hearing about it… and immediately thinking it's too costly. That hope-filled option is suddenly unavailable, not because your physicians said no, but because your bank account did.

This is the tale of thousands of cancer patients with abdominal cancers today.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, or HIPEC, is one of the most exciting advances in cancer treatment. Let's take a look at what it actually provides, how and why it's altering the course of cancer care in the future, and most importantly, how HIPEC surgery cost can now be within the hands of more families than ever.

What is HIPEC Surgery ?

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery is a two-stage surgery that treats specific cancers in the belly. The cancerous growths are removed surgically, and then heated chemotherapy medications are delivered directly within the belly to destroy the remaining cancerous growths.

Abdominal cancers that have metastasized to the abdominal wall lining (peritoneum) can be challenging to treat with standard chemotherapy. HIPEC surgery offers a more effective course of treatment.

What cancers can HIPEC surgery cure?

HIPEC surgery is able to cure diseases, fluid accumulation and cancers within the abdomen. The most prevalent cancers that are cured using HIPEC are:

• Adrenal cancer
• Appendix cancer
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Gastric (stomach) cancer
• Liver cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Peritoneal cancer

What should I do to prepare for this procedure?

Your doctor will walk you through preparing for HIPEC in close collaboration with you. It's a rigorous cancer treatment and process. You'll want to be in optimal health, both physical and psychological, before it happens. Preparation can include:

• Stopping smoking
• Abstaining from alcohol
• Practicing with an incentive spirometer to boost the power of your lungs
• Attending a support group or speaking with a therapist who deals with individuals living with cancer

What Happens during HIPEC Surgery

Your doctor will do the following during the HIPEC surgery:

• Insert a catheter into an incision in your abdomen. The catheter is attached to a machine that warms the chemotherapy to approximately 108 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius).
• Infuse the chemotherapy medications. The machine will inject the warmed chemotherapy medications through the catheter and into your abdomen.
• Spread out the chemotherapy. Your doctor might slowly rock your body from side to side so the chemotherapy flows over your belly area.
• Drain the chemotherapy. Your doctor will drain the chemotherapy medicines out of your peritoneal cavity.
• Next, they'll rinse it with saline.
• Close your incisions. Your surgeon will close any incisions that were made during cytoreductive surgery or HIPEC.

Advantages of HIPEC Surgery

Focused Cancer Treatment

Unlike conventional chemotherapy, HIPEC administers drugs directly where cancerous cells are located, utilizing the highest treatment effect on the tumors.

Lower Systemic Side Effects

Because the chemotherapy remains largely within the belly, there is less intrusion to the rest of the body, reducing the risk of side effects such as hair loss or nausea.

Enhanced Survival Rates

For certain patients with ovarian, colorectal, or other abdominal cancers and peritoneal carcinomatosis, HIPEC has been shown to offer good results in prolonging survival.

Possibility of Complete Cancer Removal

With surgery and heated chemotherapy, there is a possibility to remove microscopic cancer cells, which might be spared by surgery alone.

Shorter Treatment Time

HIPEC is usually done once and a part of surgery, perhaps shortening the necessity for repeated cycles of chemotherapy.

Risks

HIPEC, when used in combination with cytoreductive surgery, also referred to as CRS, is a multifaceted process that has severe risks, including:

Surgical complications

• Anesthetic reaction.
• Bleeding post- or intra-operatively.
• Blood clots.
• Wound or abdominal infection.
• If a part of the intestine is resected during CRS, it can leak at the anastomosis site.
• Ileus or temporary inhibition of the bowel.
• Following-surgery pain requiring pain control.
• Mortality.

Side effects related to chemotherapy

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Kidney damage from high-dose chemotherapy.
• Bone marrow suppression, resulting in low blood counts.
• Numbness or tingling from nerve damage.

Long-term risks

• Fibrotic scar tissue, or adhesion, can develop at the site of surgery. This may result in chronic belly pain or bowel issues.
• Chance of recurrence of cancer, even after treatment.

Affordable Places to get HIPEC Surgery

Let us look at some countries where the HIPEC surgery cost is low.

India

India is among the cheapest places to get HIPEC treatment globally.
Cost Range: $5,000 – $18,000

• Packages may cover HIPEC + cytoreductive surgery
• 7–14 days of hospital stay depending on complexity
• Surgeon & anesthesia fees are typically included
• Fees differ between public and private hospitals

Turkey

Turkey provides up-to-date oncology facilities with mid-range HIPEC fees compared to Western nations.
Cost Range: $15,000 – $40,000

• Complex surgery and HIPEC perfusion included
• Most centres provide medical-tourism packages
• Excellent surgeon experience in complex cancer treatment

Ukraine

Ukraine is affordably priced with HIPEC treatment, although logistics and travel are to be taken into consideration.
Cost Range: $10,000 – $21,000

• Surgery + post-op care are included in most estimates
• Reduced procedural and hospital charges
• Verify centre experience prior to choosing a facility

Spain

Spain has high-quality oncology treatment and mid-to-high European prices.
Cost Range: $22,000 – $94,000

• European medical standards and excellent clinical results
• Price depends on the type of hospital and recovery length
• Good choice for patients who want high safety standards

United States

The United States offers the highest costs of HIPEC treatment in the world.
Cost Range: $30,000 – $100,000

• State-of-the-art technology and intensive care unit facilities
• High operating room and consumable charges
• Frequently used as a reference for cost savings overseas

Tips to Minimize Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Treatment Expenses

Though HIPEC treatment may be an expensive undertaking, there are intelligent approaches to contain and minimize expenditures without sacrificing quality care:

• Obtain an Early Diagnosis
• Think about Tier-2 Cities
• Use Medical Travel Bundles
• Verify Financial Assistance or Insurance

Strategies adopted to make HIPEC Surgery Affordable

• Take advantage of local manufacturing or reconditioned equipment
• Bundled care with regional centres of excellence
• By implementing standardized pre-selection criteria to prevent unnecessary procedures
• Adaptive cost models linked to outcome metrics
• Cross-subsidisation through research/registry schemes
• "Step‐down" facilities for post-operative recovery to lower hospital stay cost
• Transparency in cost breakdowns to establish trust
• Flexible payment options and staggered payments
• Utilization of region-specific generic chemotherapeutic drugs
• Empowerment of the patient through "second opinion abroad" option
• Optimised scheduling to maximise OR/ICU utilisation
• Post-treatment remote monitoring to minimise length of stay
• Public–private partnership (PPP) models in resource-limited environments
• Health-economics transparency: cost per life-year gained

"Affordable HIPEC" is not only a dream but also a reality. It defies the myth that expensive treatments for advanced cancer are a necessity. And it dares you as a patient and as a loved one, to ask new questions.

For when it comes to lifesaving care, there's more on the line than the cost. There's time, quality, peace of mind, family, and future.

So before you conclude yourself to "it's too costly," let's take a look at the landscape, the drivers, the costs, the options and see how you can get access to this cutting-edge treatment without losing hope. Because when access and possibility come together, that's where transformation happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "HIPEC surgery cost" actually include?

Generally, it includes the cytoreductive surgery (elimination of apparent tumours), heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy injection, hospitalisation for specified duration (ward/ICU), fees of surgeon & anaesthesia, routine medicines & consumables. However, it might exclude longer stay in ICU, complications, follow-up chemotherapy, travel/accommodation, luxury private rooms, rehabilitation after discharge.

Why is cost so different across hospitals & cities?

Variation is due to: hospital type (private or public), city (metro or smaller city), surgeon/team reputation and expertise, tumour complexity (degree of tumour spread), length of hospital stay/requirement for ICU, number of other procedures involved, and whether the provided price is a "package" or initial estimate.

Is the cheapest price the best choice?

Not necessarily. Although cost is a factor, just as (if not more) significant are: experience of surgeons, accreditation of hospital, facility for advanced oncology surgery, quality of post-operative care, and number of HIPEC cases performed by the centre. An extremely low quote could mean a less experienced team or bare minimum package.

References

Professional, Cleveland Clinic Medical. “Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC).” Cleveland Clinic, 30 Sept. 2025
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21569-hyperthermic-intraperitoneal-chemotherapy-hipec

Medijourney. “Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Treatment Cost in India: Get Cost Estimate.” Medijourney
www.medijourney.co.in/cost/hyperthermic-intraperitoneal-chemotherapy-hipec/india

Benefits and Risks of HIPEC Surgery | What Every Patient Should Know | Dr. Sanjeev Kumar.
gicancercare.com/benefits-and-risks-of-hipec-surgery.php

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) - Mayo Clinic.
www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperthermic-intraperitoneal-chemotherapy/about/pac-20583315