{"id":23205,"date":"2024-01-11T16:34:59","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T21:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?page_id=23205"},"modified":"2025-12-18T17:45:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T22:45:33","slug":"hithoc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/treatment\/chemotherapy\/hithoc\/","title":{"rendered":"HITHOC Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>What Is HITHOC for Mesothelioma?<\/h2>\n<p>HITHOC involves bathing the chest cavity with a highly concentrated dose of chemotherapy after tumor-removing surgery.<strong> Heating the chemotherapy allows it to penetrate deeper and kill more tumor cells.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s most commonly performed after pleurectomy with decortication, or P\/D, a type of surgery used to remove tumors from the lung lining (pleura) in patients with <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/\">pleural mesothelioma.<\/a> HITHOC may also be performed after an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which is another surgery for mesothelioma that removes the entire cancerous lung.<\/p>\n<p>Further, doctors may recommend HITHOC when radiation therapy is too risky and could damage the patient&#8217;s lung tissue.<\/p>\n<h4>Key Facts on HITHOC Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Process:<\/strong> Surgery site is bathed in a warm chemotherapy infusion to kill remaining cancer cells<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chemotherapy drug used:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/treatment\/chemotherapy\/drugs\/cisplatin\/\">Cisplatin<\/a> (may also be combined with doxorubicin or epirubicin)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Benefits:<\/strong> More targeted than systemic (whole-body) chemotherapy but with fewer side effects; can help control the spread of cancer<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong> Patients who qualify for <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/\">mesothelioma surgery<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Possible side effects:<\/strong> Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), kidney complications, pneumonia<\/li>\n<li><strong>Impact on prognosis:<\/strong> Longer survival \u2014 up to 35 months in some patients<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Download our <strong>Free Chemotherapy Guide<\/strong> to learn about the top cancer drugs for mesothelioma, what to expect, and how to manage side effects.<\/p>\n<div id=\"28840\" class=\"one-off-28840 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"28840\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-28840{margin:60px auto;max-width:335px}.one-off-28840:first-child{margin-top:0}.one-off-28840:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.one-off-28840>a{background:#2F293D;display:block;padding:20px;padding-bottom:35px;border-radius:10px;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}.one-off-28840 img.mobile-only{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:177px;width:100%}.one-off-28840 img:not(.mobile-only){display:none}.one-off-28840 .vque-content{font-size:16px;text-align:center}.one-off-28840 strong.heading{font-size:24px;display:block;margin:0}.one-off-28840 .subheading{font-size:14px}.one-off-28840 ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;line-height:1.4;margin:15px auto 25px}.one-off-28840 ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:15px}.one-off-28840 ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.one-off-28840 ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";border:0;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-28840{max-width:620px}.one-off-28840>a{padding:0;background:linear-gradient(90.42deg,#2F293D 51.6%,#4A415F 109.35%)}.one-off-28840>a>div{display:block;display:flex;align-items:end;flex-wrap:wrap;position:relative}.one-off-28840 .vque-content{width:65%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.one-off-28840 img.mobile-only{display:none}.one-off-28840 img:not(.mobile-only){display:block;width:250px;margin-bottom:0;position:absolute;bottom:0;right:0}.one-off-28840 ul{max-width:none}.one-off-28840 ul li{margin-bottom:10px}}<\/style><a href=\"\/chemotherapy-guide\/\" title=\"Free Chemotherapy Guide\u2028for Mesothelioma Patients\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Free Chemotherapy Guide\u2028for Mesothelioma Patients Ad\"><div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"image-fade\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/thank-you-page-chemotherapy-img.png\" alt=\"Chemotherapy Guide Images\" class=\"mobile-only\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/chemo-guide-img.png\" alt=\"Chemotherapy Guide Images\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n<strong class=\"heading\">Free Chemotherapy Guide\u2028for Mesothelioma Patients<\/strong>\r\n<span class=\"subheading\">Written by cancer nurses<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Top chemo drugs explained<\/li>\r\n<li>Preparing for your first session<\/li>\r\n<li>Managing side effects like\u2028nausea & fatigue<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Download It Now\">Download It Now<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>How Does Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy Treat Mesothelioma?<\/h2>\n<p>HITHOC works by delivering a high dose of chemotherapy directly to where a patient\u2019s cancer is located in order to destroy mesothelioma cells. While <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/extrapleural-pneumonectomy\/\">EPP surgery<\/a> and <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/pleurectomy-decortication\/\">P\/D surgery<\/a> are effective procedures for removing cancerous tissue, they may leave mesothelioma cells behind.<\/p>\n<p>HITHOC helps destroy the cancer cells that were too small to be removed with surgery, giving patients a better chance of improving their life expectancy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Dr-David-Sugarbaker.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;HITHOC represents an innovative strategy for addressing the challenges of treating mesothelioma. By administering heated chemotherapy directly within the thoracic cavity, we aim to improve the efficacy of treatment and provide better outcomes for patients.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Dr. David Sugarbaker, pleural mesothelioma specialist<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<p>HITHOC is similar to hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreductive surgery, which is the gold standard treatment for patients with <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/peritoneal\/\">peritoneal mesothelioma<\/a>, another type of asbestos-related cancer that develops in the abdominal lining.<\/p>\n<p>HITHOC treatment for pleural mesothelioma is considered experimental, but some researchers are <a href=\"\/blog\/researchers-push-standard-hithoc-for-mesothelioma\/\">pushing for it to become a standard treatment<\/a> based on benefits to patients in clinical studies.<\/p>\n<h2>Benefits of HITHOC for Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Enhanced chemotherapy delivery:<\/strong> HITHOC is directly administered within the chest cavity during surgery. This allows higher concentrations of chemotherapy to reach cancerous tissues, which helps make treatment more effective.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Extended survival: <\/strong>In a study of 103 patients, HITHOC extended survival up to 35 months. The average <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/prognosis\/life-expectancy\/pleural\/\">life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma<\/a> is 18 months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lower risk of complications:<\/strong> Medical literature shows that HITHOC has very low complication rates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Minimized side effects:<\/strong> The targeted nature of HITHOC may result in fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy. This is because the heated chemotherapy is focused on the area where it is needed most instead of entering the bloodstream to the rest of the body.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quick recovery:<\/strong> Research suggests that most patients recover quickly from the procedure, which means they can proceed to standard chemotherapy or receive other additional treatments if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A recent review of six clinical studies found that pleural mesothelioma patients lived longer when they got HITHOC after surgery. HITHOC patients survived <strong>13-35 months compared to 11-23 months with surgery alone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Who\u2019s Eligible for Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Mesothelioma patients may be a good candidate for HITHOC if:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Their cancer is in an early stage and hasn&#8217;t spread very far.<\/li>\n<li>They are healthy enough to have surgery.<\/li>\n<li>They can\u2019t undergo <a href=\"\/treatment\/radiation\/\">radiation therapy<\/a> and need a substitute treatment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What to Expect During HITHOC Treatment for Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<p>The HITHOC procedure can vary depending on the hospital and the doctor who conducts it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>However, HITHOC treatment follows this general process:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Pre-surgery medication and fluids:<\/strong> The medical team administers fluids and medications to protect the kidneys from any adverse effects of chemotherapy.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tumor-removing surgery:<\/strong> The doctor performs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/treatment\/surgery\/epp-vs-pd\/\">EPP or P\/D<\/a> surgery (depending on the patient\u2019s case) to remove as much tumor tissue as possible.<\/li>\n<li><strong>HITHOC preparation:<\/strong> A machine fills the chest cavity with saline solution, where it\u2019s slowly heated to between 110 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is hot enough to allow the chemotherapy to attack cancer cells but not so hot that it harms healthy cells.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Heated chemotherapy application:<\/strong> Chemotherapy is pumped into the patient\u2019s chest cavity to kill cancer cells that aren\u2019t visible to the naked eye. This process usually takes 1-2 hours.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Saline rinse:<\/strong> The patient\u2019s surgery team may rinse the pleural cavity with a saline solution to wash away the remaining chemotherapy drugs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Recovery:<\/strong> Most HITHOC patients stay in the hospital for 2 weeks after surgery, with a team of nurses and doctors monitoring their recovery and managing any side effects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Continued chemotherapy (if needed):<\/strong> The patient may need traditional chemotherapy sessions to kill cancer cells in other areas of the body and prevent tumors from returning.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>A mesothelioma doctor can determine if you or a loved one is a candidate for HITHOC and other treatments. Use our Free Doctor Match service to<strong> get help scheduling an appointment with a local specialist.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"25223\" class=\"one-off-25223 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"25223\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-25223{margin:60px auto}.one-off-25223 a{box-shadow:0 4px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25);display:block;background:#e4f4f6;padding:20px 25px 200px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;position:relative;overflow:hidden;max-width:360px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-25223 a::before{background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50% 50% 0 0;content:'';position:absolute;bottom:0;height:19%;width:135%;left:-60px;z-index:0}.one-off-25223 .vque-content,.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{z-index:1;position:relative}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{width:100%;position:absolute;left:-10px;bottom:-15px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;max-width:unset;left:0}.one-off-25223 .heading{font-size:27px;line-height:33px;text-align:center;display:block;max-width:340px;margin:5px auto 25px}.one-off-25223 ul{list-style:none;margin:-10px auto 22px;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:26px}.one-off-25223 ul li{margin:0 0 15px;position:relative;padding-left:35px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";background:#0FAEBF;width:21px;height:21px;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;top:4px;border-radius:50%;color:#fff;font-size:11px;text-align:center;line-height:21px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:center}.one-off-25223 .button{padding:12px 16px;display:block}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-25223 a{max-width:620px;padding:30px 30px 35px;border-radius:0 0 4px 4px}.one-off-25223 a::before{border-radius:50%;height:155%;width:150%;right:-550px;left:unset;bottom:-295px}.one-off-25223 .heading{text-align:left;margin:2px 0 25px;max-width:unset;font-size:24px}.one-off-25223 ul{margin:-7px 0 30px;max-width:365px;line-height:23px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{top:1px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{max-width:unset;position:absolute;right:-25px;bottom:-35px;margin:0 0 -2px;left:unset;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:relative;bottom:0;left:0;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .button{display:inline-block;padding:14px 25px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:left}}@media screen and (min-width:1150px){.one-off-25223 a{padding:30px}}<\/style><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\" title=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Find top specialists near you<\/li>\r\n            <li>Seek compensation for travel & care<\/li>\r\n            <li>Get medical guidance<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Matched Now\">Get Matched Now<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Doctors-ad.png\" alt=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>HITHOC Side Effects and Complications<\/h2>\n<p>HITHOC is a specialized and effective procedure for treating pleural mesothelioma. Like any treatment, however, it may cause certain <a href=\"\/treatment\/side-effects\/\">side effects<\/a> and complications.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Some potential complications of surgery with HITHOC include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Acute respiratory distress syndrome\/respiratory failure<\/li>\n<li>Atrial fibrillation, or AFib (a quivering or irregular heartbeat)<\/li>\n<li>Damage to the nerves of the larynx (voice box)<\/li>\n<li>Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)<\/li>\n<li>Diaphragm rupture<\/li>\n<li>Empyema (a collection of pus in the pleural cavity)<\/li>\n<li>Kidney failure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p>Patients who have had lung-removing surgery are more vulnerable to complications. However, <a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/\">mesothelioma doctors<\/a> take extra precautions to prevent these side effects, such as administering fluids and medications before surgery.<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p>Have questions about HITHOC or other mesothelioma treatments? Call <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> to speak to one of our registered nurses for free.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2>HITHOC Recovery and Follow-Up Care<\/h2>\n<p>The recovery time after surgery with HITHOC can vary for each patient, depending on their overall health, the invasiveness of the surgery, and their individual response to treatment.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, patients who undergo HITHOC treatment for pleural mesothelioma <strong>may stay in the hospital for about 2 weeks<\/strong> following the procedure.<\/p>\n<p>After undergoing HITHOC, you will receive follow-up care from your medical team. The specifics of your follow-up plan will depend on your health, how you respond to HITHOC, and your <a href=\"\/treatment\/\">mesothelioma treatment plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You can generally expect the following after receiving HITHOC:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Regular appointments to check your progress<\/strong>: After undergoing HITHOC, your medical team will follow up with you every three months to assess side effects and complications, if any.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Imaging tests to monitor your cancer:<\/strong> You will also have regular imaging scans, blood tests, and clinical examinations to evaluate how your mesothelioma responds to HITHOC.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lifestyle changes to help you recover more quickly:<\/strong> Your medical team will provide strategies for boosting your overall health and immune system after HITHOC, such as incorporating a <a href=\"\/treatment\/diet-and-nutrition\/\">mesothelioma diet<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Clinical Research on HITHOC Mesothelioma Treatment<\/h2>\n<p>Research and <a href=\"\/treatment\/clinical-trials\/\">clinical trials<\/a> exploring how HITHOC fits into mesothelioma treatment have shown encouraging results.<\/p>\n<p>In 2013, Dr. David Sugarbaker, a pioneer in malignant pleural mesothelioma treatment, studied the outcomes of hundreds of pleural mesothelioma patients from 2001 to 2009.<\/p>\n<p>This study compared patients who received HITHOC to those who did not. It revealed that patients receiving HITHOC had better median survival (35.3 months) than those who did not (22.8 months).<\/p>\n<p>Further, a study published by the <em>Journal of Thoracic Disease<\/em> in 2023 noted that pleural mesothelioma patients<strong> lived roughly 4 months longer <\/strong>if they received HITHOC after surgery.<\/p>\n<h2>Find Doctors for HITHOC Treatment with Our Help<\/h2>\n<p>At Mesothelioma Hope, <strong>your hope for a brighter future is our priority.<\/strong> If you&#8217;re considering HITHOC or other treatments, our dedicated nurses and Patient Advocates are here to support you every step of the way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>We can help you find experienced doctors and specialists<\/strong> who are well-versed in HITHOC treatment for pleural mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p>Contact us today at <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> or use our <a href=\"\/get-matched\/\">Free Doctor Match service<\/a> to take the next positive step in your mesothelioma treatment plan.<\/p>\n<div class=\"faq-wrap\"><h2 class=\"faq-wrap-heading\">HITHOC Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma FAQs<\/h2><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"1\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What is intrathoracic chemotherapy for mesothelioma?<\/h3><div><p>Intrathoracic chemotherapy for mesothelioma involves <strong>delivering chemotherapy drugs directly into the chest cavity after tumor-removing surgery<\/strong> to target cancer cells that are too small to be seen.<\/p>\n<p>This localized approach helps enhance the effectiveness of surgery while minimizing side effects associated with standard chemotherapy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"2\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">What are the indications for HITHOC?<\/h3><div><p>Hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) is a specialized treatment approach used in the management of certain cancers, particularly malignant pleural mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The indications for HITHOC include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Malignant pleural mesothelioma:<\/strong> HITHOC is commonly considered for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and is caused by asbestos exposure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limited tumor spread:<\/strong> HITHOC is typically considered when the spread of the mesothelioma is confined to the chest cavity and not distant organs. This is because HITHOC is normally performed after cytoreductive surgery to remove visible tumors within the chest.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Optimal candidate selection:<\/strong> Patients selected for HITHOC are carefully evaluated based on factors such as their overall health, <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/stages\/\">stage of mesothelioma,<\/a> and response to prior treatments. The goal is to identify individuals who are likely to benefit from the procedure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Multimodal treatment plan:<\/strong> HITHOC is often included as part of a <a href=\"\/treatment\/multimodal-therapy\/\">multimodal treatment plan<\/a>, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy. The combination of these treatments aims to maximize the chances of controlling or eliminating the cancer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq\" data-faq=\"3\"><h3 class=\"faq-heading\">Has HITHOC helped any pleural mesothelioma patients?<\/h3><div><p><strong>Yes.<\/strong> Several clinical studies have shown that HITHOC can extend survival in pleural mesothelioma patients.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a 2023 review of the National Cancer Database revealed that <strong>patients who underwent HITHOC after surgery had a median <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/prognosis\/life-expectancy\/\">life expectancy<\/a> of 20.5 months,<\/strong> compared to 16.8 months for patients treated with surgery alone.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What is intrathoracic chemotherapy for mesothelioma?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;Intrathoracic chemotherapy for mesothelioma involves &lt;strong&gt;delivering chemotherapy drugs directly into the chest cavity after tumor-removing surgery&lt;\/strong&gt; to target cancer cells that are too small to be seen.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;This localized approach helps enhance the effectiveness of surgery while minimizing side effects associated with standard chemotherapy.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"What are the indications for HITHOC?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;Hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) is a specialized treatment approach used in the management of certain cancers, particularly malignant pleural mesothelioma.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The indications for HITHOC include:&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;ul&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Malignant pleural mesothelioma:&lt;\/strong&gt; HITHOC is commonly considered for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and is caused by asbestos exposure.&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Limited tumor spread:&lt;\/strong&gt; HITHOC is typically considered when the spread of the mesothelioma is confined to the chest cavity and not distant organs. This is because HITHOC is normally performed after cytoreductive surgery to remove visible tumors within the chest.&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Optimal candidate selection:&lt;\/strong&gt; Patients selected for HITHOC are carefully evaluated based on factors such as their overall health, stage of mesothelioma, and response to prior treatments. The goal is to identify individuals who are likely to benefit from the procedure.&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Multimodal treatment plan:&lt;\/strong&gt; HITHOC is often included as part of a multimodal treatment plan, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy. The combination of these treatments aims to maximize the chances of controlling or eliminating the cancer.&lt;\/li&gt;\n&lt;\/ul&gt;\n\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Has HITHOC helped any pleural mesothelioma patients?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yes.&lt;\/strong&gt; Several clinical studies have shown that HITHOC can extend survival in pleural mesothelioma patients.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;For example, a 2023 review of the National Cancer Database revealed that &lt;strong&gt;patients who underwent HITHOC after surgery had a median life expectancy of 20.5 months,&lt;\/strong&gt; compared to 16.8 months for patients treated with surgery alone.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\"}}]}<\/script><style type=\"text\/css\">.faq-wrap{background:#E4F4F6;padding:20px 15px;margin:40px -15px}.faq-wrap:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq{background:#fff;padding:15px;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0px 20px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.03);margin:15px 0 0 0}.faq-wrap .faq:first-child{margin-top:0}.faq-wrap .faq .faq-heading{color:#100134;font-size:21px;margin-bottom:15px}.faq-wrap .faq p{margin-bottom:20px;line-height:1.5}.faq-wrap .faq p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more{color:#248AFF;display:block;padding-right:17px;text-align:right;position:relative;line-height:1}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited{color:#248AFF}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:visited:hover,.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:hover{color:#34d}.faq-wrap .faq .learn-more:after{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e905\";position:absolute;right:0;top:3px}h2.faq-wrap-heading{margin-bottom:25px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.faq-wrap{padding:25px 15px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.faq-wrap{border-radius:10px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:25px}.faq-wrap .faq{padding:25px}.faq-heading{font-size:24px}}<\/style><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is HITHOC for Mesothelioma? HITHOC involves bathing the chest cavity with a highly concentrated dose of chemotherapy after tumor-removing surgery. Heating the chemotherapy allows it to penetrate deeper and kill more tumor cells. It\u2019s most commonly performed after pleurectomy with decortication, or P\/D, a type of surgery used to remove tumors from the lung&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":128,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-23205","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23205\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}