Tobyn’s Story: Hot Chemotherapy and Hope for the Future

By: Karen Ritter on August 31, 2016

In April, Tobyn was diagnosed with stage 2 pleural epithelioid mesothelioma. After researching on the internet, she learned that surgery with hot chemotherapy could aid in preventing a recurrence of mesothelioma. Her number one goal was to be able to spend more time with her family.

Doctors are working hard to improve treatments for mesothelioma, focusing on controlling local disease. Mesothelioma has a high rate of recurrence. The use of hyperthermic intraoperative chemoperfusion (HIOC), commonly known as ‘hot chemo,’ is just one way doctors are hoping to decrease that rate.

What is Hyperthermic intraoperative chemoperfusion (HIOC)?

Hyperthermic intraoperative chemoperfusion (HIOC) is the use of hot chemotherapy pumped directly into the thoracic cavity after surgery, washing the area. It is similar to HIPEC, which is used for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Some steps of the HIOC treatment process:

1

Doctors perform surgery (P/D or EPP) to remove tumors and other damaged tissue.
2

Hot chemo is circulated throughout the thoracic cavity for about 1 hour to kill off any remaining microscopic cancer cells.
3

Before and after treatment patients are given aggressive hydration and IV administration of sodium thiosulfate and amifostine to prevent kidney damage.

Cisplatin, one of the drugs used for IV chemotherapy, is the drug most commonly used for the procedure. Intracavity use allows for the drug to penetrate the cancer cells more effectively.

How Tobyn Found The Right HIOC Specialist

After deciding she wanted to pursue HIOC, Tobyn researched specialists who perform heated chemotherapy and came across the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. It was only a short drive from her home in West Virginia and they specialized in both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma with the use of heated chemotherapy.

Dr. Neil A. Christie

Thoracic surgeon, Dr. Neil Christie, seemed to be a good fit, not only because he had the first name of her favorite singer, Neil Young, but because he worked with a team of specialists that were knowledgeable, honest and caring.

He specializes in pleural mesothelioma and performing the pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) with heated intraoperative chemotherapy.

Tobyn was scheduled for a P/D and heated chemotherapy in May. The P/D procedure removes the lining of the lung and any affected tissues in the chest wall, diaphragm and pericardium.

“I wasn’t scared. I felt I had a great team. I was otherwise pretty healthy and really, didn’t have much choice but to do the surgery,” Tobyn told Mesothelioma Guide.

She had the support of her daughter, sister who is an oncology PACU nurse, and grandchildren.

HIOC Recovery and Side Effects

Studies have shown that HIOC after surgery is well tolerated by patients and it does not interfere with length of hospital stay or additional treatments, like intravenous chemotherapy and radiation. Patients with epithelioid cell type and localized lymph node involvement had the longest interval to recurrence post-surgery with HIOC.

Potential Side Effects of HIOC

Pulmonary edema
Renal toxicity
Atrial Fibrillation
Deep Venous Thrombosis
Anorexia and/or a change in appetite

Tobyn’s Recovery Experience

After 6 hours, Tobyn was out of surgery and in the ICU on oxygen with a breathing tube and lots of pain medication. The tube was removed by the next day and she was encouraged to move to a chair within 2 days.

“I then fully realized I had 3 tubes running from my lower chest area to 3 boxes that were draining my lung chest area. They were cumbersome and inhibited my movement somewhat, but weren’t painful.”

At no point did Tobyn experience pain. Overall she felt fatigued, brain fog, and a change in her taste buds, making it somewhat difficult to find foods she could tolerate. Tobyn was on a liquid diet until day 4, when she was able to tolerate a small amount of solid food.

She was soon downgraded to the medical floor where she continued to be for 8 more days. On the medical floor she performed breathing treatments 3 times per day, a common exercise in the mesothelioma surgery recovery process.

Once home, Tobyn continued to struggle with those symptoms. By the third week, things started to gradually improve. She had less fatigue, decreased brain fog, and her appetite broadened allowing her to enjoy her comfort foods.

“I am now on week six and I feel pretty good.”

Tobyn Keeps a Positive Attitude

“Frankly, this wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I am not going to run in the Olympics, but I can walk about a quarter mile now, food is great, and I beat my computer at chess yesterday.”

“I got frustrated at first because I am not used to being dependent at all… but sometimes lessons in patience are good and my family and I are very close now.”

“There is no guarantee with meso… I feel the surgery gave me my best chance and the hot chemo has shown promising results. I will have to have some follow up chemo which will probably start soon. I do feel I have given myself more time and new stuff happens in research all the time.”

Image of Nurse Karen
To learn more about HIOC with surgery and how it could help delay recurrence, contact Karen at: 888-385-2024, ext. 102 or karen@mesotheliomaguide.com.

Sources & Author

About the Writer, Karen Ritter, RN BSN

Karen Ritter, a registered nurse, is the lead patient advocate for Mesothelioma Guide. She has a deep passion for patient care, which includes helping patients and their families search for treatment options at the top mesothelioma cancer centers. She finds the balance between encouraging patients to receive the best treatment possible while enjoying their time with loved ones and friends. Karen is a valuable asset for patients due to her knowledge of mesothelioma, compassion for the victims of this disease and dedication to guiding patients through their treatment journey.

Sources & Author