Complete Patient Journey at the Peritoneal Cancer Institute
Complete Patient Journey at the Peritoneal Cancer Institute
At the Peritoneal Cancer Institute (PCI), our approach combines advanced medical expertise with personalized, compassionate care. Every stage of the process, from the initial evaluation to the postoperative follow-up, is carefully designed to provide the highest standard of treatment, ensuring that our patients feel safe and supported through comprehensive, integrated care.
Preparation and Initial Evaluation
If you’d like your case to be reviewed by PCI specialists, you can complete a form with your medical information on our website (https://peritonealcancerinstitute.com/es/). Once we receive the information, our team will respond promptly by email and propose an initial evaluation appointment with a medical assistant.
To carry out a full assessment, we request a few essential medical documents: oncology reports, records of previous surgeries (if any), and other relevant studies such as blood tests, tumor markers, pathology reports and radiological images. These documents allow our medical team to analyze the patient’s condition in detail and determine the most appropriate treatment, ensuring a personalized approach from the very first step.
How is the Treatment Decided?
PCI specializes in two main procedures: cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC (CRS + HIPEC) and pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC). To determine whether a patient is a candidate for one treatment or the other, each case is first reviewed by a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board and, if needed, a laparoscopy is performed to assess the extent of the tumor in greater detail. If the peritoneal metastases can be completely and safely removed, the preferred option is CRS + HIPEC. In cases where surgery is not feasible, due to extensive disease or involvement of vital organs, the team considers PIPAC, typically in combination with intravenous chemotherapy.
The core objective of the medical team is to deliver a personalized plan for every patient. Each case is examined thoroughly to recommend the best possible treatment.
Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC
This technique combines oncologic surgery to remove visible tumors with the application of chemotherapy to target microscopic metastases in the abdomen. After the surgical procedure, while the patient is still in the operating room, heated liquid chemotherapy drugs are circulated throughout the abdominal cavity for 60 to 90 minutes. The method, known as HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy), helps eliminate microscopic tumor residues and enhance the effectiveness of surgery, leading to better outcomes. The entire procedure can last between eight and sixteen hours.
Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC)
PIPAC enables surgeons to treat lesions within the abdominal cavity by delivering chemotherapy in aerosol form through a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. This treatment, which can be repeated several times to maximize its effect against the tumor, is typically used for patients who are not initial candidates for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with HIPEC. The procedure generally lasts about two hours.
Throughout the entire hospital stay, the patient may be accompanied 24 hours a day by a person of their choice, who will also receive all meals provided by the hospital.
Recovery and Follow-up
After each treatment, the recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed. Because PIPAC is minimally invasive, it usually requires only a short hospital stay. In contrast, following CRS + HIPEC, which is a more complex surgery, the surgical team closely monitors the patient to ensure there are no infections, bleeding or complications with the sutures.
Hospitalization after a CRS + HIPEC procedure typically lasts between 10 days and three weeks, although recovery time may vary depending on the complexity of the surgery and each patient’s individual condition. The PCI medical team closely monitors the patient’s progress and organizes personalized postoperatives follow-up appointments at three months, six months, one year and two years. The evaluations can be carried out virtually by sending test results and conducting a video consultation, or in person, if the patient prefers. In addition, the medical team can provide psychological support to ensure comprehensive care that addresses both physical and emotional well-being
International Patient Care
At PCI, we have treated patients from all over the world, and communication has never been a barrier. Our medical team speaks Spanish, English, Italian, Croatian, French, Russian, Ukrainian, and Catalan. In cases where a patient speaks a language not covered by our team, consultations are conducted with the help of a professional translator or technology-assisted interpretation. The Teknon Medical Center also has an International Department that provides language assistance for those who require it.
Although most international patients manage their travel arrangements to Spain independently, the Teknon International Department, alongside PCI, offers comprehensive support. This includes visa assistance, administrative procedures in the patient’s home country, coordination with embassies, help finding accommodation for family members, and guidance with international insurance procedures, when applicable.
At PCI, every patient is unique. Our priority is to understand each patient’s medical and emotional needs and accompany them through every stage of treatment.