Cost of HIPEC procedure

HIPEC is performed in developed countries in Europe, including Germany. Health insurance covers this cancer treatment method for local citizens, but foreign patients do not have to rely on financial assistance. They pay for any treatment out-of-pocket. So if you are considering peritoneal carcinomatosis treatment abroad, you are probably wondering about the cost of HIPEC procedure. You can find out the prices on the Booking Health website, and in this publication we will talk about what other expenses will be required and how to save money on medical services abroad without compromising on their quality.

What is HIPEC?

HIPEC is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. It is a type of regional chemotherapy in which a solution of chemotherapy drugs heated to 40-42°C is administered into the abdomen.

HIPEC is not a stand-alone procedure. It is always an addition to cytoreductive surgery to remove tumor foci in the abdomen. It is performed together with HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis: a variant of cancer progression in which cancer cells spread by implantation in the abdominal cavity, resulting in multiple metastases.

The peritoneal cavity is separated from the rest of the bloodstream by the peritoneal-plasma barrier. Systemic chemotherapy is therefore not effective enough in peritoneal carcinomatosis: not all drugs can reach the tumor foci to destroy cancer cells. However, HIPEC is much more effective. The presence of the peritoneal-plasma barrier is an advantage in its application, as the drugs used affect only the tumor foci and cancer cells, but have no systemic toxicity because they do not enter the bloodstream in high concentrations.

HIPEC is performed immediately after cytoreductive surgery, even before the wound is sutured. The abdominal cavity is rinsed with a cytostatic solution through a special drainage system for about an hour and a half.  The wound is then sutured and the surgery is complete. The additional use of HIPEC makes it more effective, increasing the recurrence-free and overall survival rates of patients.

What should be considered when planning financial expenses?

If you are considering HIPEC, you should keep in mind that this is not the only cancer treatment you will need. The following additional medical services are typically required:

• Examination and clarification of diagnosis
• Surgery cost
• Postoperative recovery
• Systemic cancer treatments

Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC is a serious procedure that requires several months of rehabilitation. In addition, patients receive systemic therapy to control the cancer in its terminal stages.

Is the cost of treatment known in advance?

Yes, it is. The Booking Health website lists the price of medical programs that include cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. You can compare the costs at different clinics and choose a suitable option.

Because the surgery is complex, some patients may have complications. They require additional medical procedures, which can significantly increase the cost of treatment. However, you are protected from these risks if you make your appointment through Booking Health. In this case, you will be provided with insurance with the coverage of any additional medical expenses not included in the program. For you it means that the initial price will not increase.

How can you reduce the cost of your treatment?

If you’re on a tight budget and want to get treatment abroad, you can save money by using the Booking Health services. When you use the website to make your treatment appointment at the clinic, then:

• HIPEC will be cheaper as there are no additional fees for foreign patients
• You will be protected from additional costs in case of complications
• You can compare prices at different clinics and choose a cheaper option
• You will have the opportunity to get a discount through a promotion: some clinics offer discounts especially for Booking Health clients

Please leave your request on the website to get a consultation from medical tourism specialists. They will help you select a clinic, make an appointment at the clinic on your preferred dates, organize a trip abroad, and provide support during your stay abroad.