For the First Time in Any Government Hospital in Central India, Cancer Patient Successfully Treated Through Three Sessions of PIPAC Therapy

Successful use of PIPAC chemotherapy in peritoneal cancer marks a major medical milestone at Pt. Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur

Raipur, Aug 2025 : Doctors from the Surgical Oncology Department (Regional Cancer Institute) at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, affiliated with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur, have achieved a significant breakthrough in the treatment of peritoneal cancer (Peritoneal Carcinomatosis).

A 54-year-old female patient suffering from peritoneal cancer successfully underwent three sessions of treatment using PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy), a pioneering medical procedure. This marks the first-ever successful completion of three PIPAC sessions in any government institution in Central India.

According to Dr. Ashutosh Gupta of the Regional Cancer Institute, PIPAC is an innovative and advanced technique where chemotherapy drugs are converted into ultra-fine aerosol particles and delivered under pressure directly into the peritoneal cavity. This ensures that the medicine reaches the cancer cells directly while minimizing side effects that typically occur when chemotherapy spreads throughout the body.

The process is performed through just two small incisions, making it less invasive and more comfortable for patients compared to traditional surgery. PIPAC is especially beneficial for patients for whom conventional chemotherapy or surgery is ineffective. Studies suggest that 60–80% of patients treated with PIPAC show improvement.

Notably, most patients undergoing PIPAC are unable to complete more than one session due to post-treatment complications, selection criteria, and the need for meticulous postoperative care. However, the patient treated at Pt. Nehru Memorial Medical College successfully completed all three sessions and is currently stable, leading a normal life.

Dr. Vivek Choudhary, Dean of Raipur Medical College, credited this achievement to the experience, expertise, and precise application of advanced technologies by the surgical oncology team. He added that this success is not only a matter of pride for Chhattisgarh but also a ray of hope for cancer patients across Central India.

Dr. Santosh Sonkar, Superintendent of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, noted that performing PIPAC chemotherapy three times in advanced peritoneal cancer patients is a rare accomplishment in government healthcare. He emphasized that this feat positions the institution as a leading cancer treatment center in Central India.

Key Facts About PIPAC Treatment:

• Method: Delivers chemotherapy drugs in aerosol form into the peritoneal cavity under pressure.
• Indications: Used for advanced abdominal cancers such as colon, ovarian, and peritoneal metastases when traditional surgery or systemic chemotherapy is ineffective.
• Availability: Currently offered at a limited number of centers in India, including AIIMS Delhi and Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
• Significance: Pt. Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur, is now among the select institutions successfully performing this advanced cancer therapy.