The short answer: At Welcare Speciality Hospital, Ahmedabad, you can see Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel, an ESGO-certified gynaecological oncologist, for a consultation about HIPEC (heated chemotherapy inside the belly, often called garam chemo). She reviews your reports and scans and explains whether HIPEC could suit you. HIPEC itself is not done at Welcare: if it is advised, the operation is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital, which have the operating theatre set-up and intensive care it needs. HIPEC is mainly for selected women with advanced ovarian cancer (andashay ka cancer, अंडाशय का कैंसर), usually stage 3 and sometimes stage 4, when all visible tumour can be removed and the woman is fit for a long operation. It is not right for everyone and is not a guaranteed cure.
On this page
- What is HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery?
- Consultation at Welcare, surgery at Sterling or KD
- Who is a candidate
- What to expect
- How to book
- FAQs
What is HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery?
Cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) involves removing all visible tumour from the abdomen, then bathing the abdominal cavity with heated chemotherapy at 41–43°C for 60–90 minutes to kill microscopic residual disease. Both parts are done in one open operation (through a cut in the tummy), which usually takes 8–14 hours. In carefully selected women, adding HIPEC can help keep the cancer away for longer; it does not suit everyone and is not a guaranteed cure.
The operation is performed by a fellowship-trained gynaecological oncosurgeon — Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel — at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital (not at Welcare), with full multidisciplinary back-up including medical oncology, radiation oncology, anaesthesia, pathology and radiology.
For broader information on this cancer, see our guide to ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment and our main page on HIPEC eligibility and treatment. Authoritative external guidance: Van Driel et al., New England Journal of Medicine — HIPEC in advanced ovarian cancer and ESGO Advanced Ovarian Cancer guidelines.
HIPEC consultation at Welcare Speciality Hospital, surgery at Sterling or KD
Welcare Speciality Hospital is focused specialist care with personalised consultation access. For HIPEC, Welcare is the place for your first consultation, report review and follow-up visits. Dr. Nishtha does open and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery at Welcare for other conditions, but Welcare does not do HIPEC and does not have a surgical robot. If cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC is advised, it is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital. This works for patients because:
- Single-team continuity: Dr. Nishtha personally manages your case from consultation at Welcare, through surgery at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital, to follow-up. You do not get passed between rotating team members.
- Multidisciplinary tumour board: complex cases are discussed jointly with medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology and radiology before final treatment decisions.
- The right hospital for the operation: HIPEC needs a specialised operating theatre set-up and intensive care afterwards, which is why it is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital.
- A choice of hospitals: you can see Dr. Nishtha at Welcare, Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital, so you can pick the one that is easiest for consultations and follow-up visits.
Who is a candidate for HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery?
HIPEC with cytoreductive surgery may be considered for selected women with stage 3 (sometimes stage 4) ovarian, fallopian-tube or primary peritoneal cancer that has spread along the lining of the belly (the peritoneum), when all visible tumour can be removed and the woman is fit for a long operation. The strongest evidence is for interval surgery, done after about 3 cycles of chemotherapy; its value at a first (upfront) operation is less certain. HIPEC is not right for everyone, and many women do well with surgery and chemotherapy without it. The decision is individualised after review of:
- Histopathology / biopsy reports confirming diagnosis and grade
- Imaging (ultrasound, CT or MRI) to assess local extent and stage
- Tumour markers (CA-125, CEA, HE4 — where relevant)
- Performance status, comorbidities and patient preferences (including fertility wishes)
- Prior treatment history (neoadjuvant chemotherapy, prior surgery)
For an individualised assessment, please bring all of these reports to your consultation, or share them on WhatsApp in advance.
What to expect with HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery
When HIPEC suits you, the heated chemotherapy reaches cancer cells too small to see, during the same operation. For many women the right plan is surgery and chemotherapy without HIPEC, and a consultation helps decide this. The typical journey, starting with a consultation at Welcare, looks like this:
- Initial consultation — at Welcare Speciality Hospital: review of reports, examination, plan discussion (45–60 minutes).
- Investigations — any additional imaging or tests required to complete staging.
- Multidisciplinary discussion — case reviewed at tumour board where appropriate.
- Surgery planning — admission, pre-op review with anaesthesia, consent discussion.
- Surgery and recovery — the operation is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital, not at Welcare. It is open surgery, usually 8–14 hours, and most women stay in hospital about 10–14 days, including 3–5 days in the ICU (intensive care). See preparation and recovery around HIPEC.
- Follow-up — at Welcare or the hospital of your choice; first review at 1–2 weeks post-discharge, then 3-monthly for 2 years, then 6-monthly to year 5.
How to book a HIPEC consultation at Welcare Speciality Hospital, Ahmedabad
Consultations for HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery with Dr. Nishtha at Welcare Speciality Hospital are by prior appointment. To book:
- Call or WhatsApp: +91 76988 00333
- Online: Book an appointment
- Second opinion: Request a free 10-minute report review
For patients travelling from outside Ahmedabad, mention this at booking so the team can group consultation, investigations, and pre-op work-up into the fewest possible visits.
FAQs — HIPEC Consultation at Welcare Speciality Hospital, Ahmedabad
Where exactly is Welcare Speciality Hospital and how do I reach it for a HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery consultation?
Welcare Speciality Hospital is in Ahmedabad. When you book, the team can share directions. Patients arriving from outside Ahmedabad can plan a single-day consultation by booking in advance on +91 76988 00333.
Is HIPEC surgery done at Welcare Speciality Hospital?
No. For HIPEC, Welcare is where you can have your consultation and follow-up visits. Dr. Nishtha does open and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery at Welcare for other conditions, but cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital, which have the operating theatre set-up and intensive care it needs. Welcare does not have a surgical robot, and HIPEC is an open operation in any case.
Who is a candidate for HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery?
HIPEC with cytoreductive surgery may be considered for selected women with stage 3 (sometimes stage 4) ovarian, fallopian-tube or primary peritoneal cancer, when all visible tumour can be removed and the woman is fit for a long operation. It is not right for everyone. Eligibility is confirmed after review of imaging (ultrasound, CT or MRI), biopsy or histopathology reports, and tumour markers. A consultation with Dr. Nishtha allows a personalised treatment plan to be formulated.
How long is the hospital stay after HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital?
HIPEC with cytoreductive surgery is an open operation, not keyhole surgery. Most women stay in hospital about 10–14 days, including 3–5 days in the ICU (intensive care), depending on how much surgery was needed and how recovery goes. Gentle daily activity usually returns in about 4–6 weeks, and full recovery takes about 3–4 months. Dr. Nishtha’s team plans discharge protocols individually.
Can I get a second opinion about HIPEC at Welcare Speciality Hospital?
Yes. Dr. Nishtha provides independent second opinions on diagnosis, staging, and proposed treatment plans. You can share reports on WhatsApp (+91 76988 00333) before the consultation so the meeting focuses on your specific decision.
Medical content reviewed by Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel, MBBS, DGO, DNB, Fellowship Gynaecological Oncology, ESGO-certified.