The Braemar Charitable Trust is excited to share that it recently donated funds to replace an aging heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) machine at Braemar Hospital. Investing in new services and equipment that improve health outcomes in our community, is a core pillar of our charitable purpose and supports our goals of investing in innovation and medical research that will positively impact health outcomes for current and future patients.
Braemar Hospital is the only private hospital in New Zealand providing cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and has been doing so since 2009.
HIPEC treatment provides surgeons with the ability to apply high doses of chemotherapy directly
into the peritoneal cavity (the space between the stomach lining and one’s vital organs) without significant toxicity to the remainder of the body. The effects of the heat may increase the potency, or success, of the treatment. In this way the normal side effect of chemotherapy (fatigue, nausea, headaches) can be avoided.
HIPEC treatment is used as a treatment option for patients suffering from Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.
This is a broad description of a type of cancer, whereby a variety of tumors have been found in areas of the body like the appendix, ovaries, pancreas, or stomach among other organs.
This treatment option is usually only utilized when such cancerous cells are extensively malignant or developed.
Funding this technology has greatly improved patient care in our community.
