Peritoneal metastases of colorectal origin – cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The financial aspect

About 10% to 15% of patients with colon cancer have intraperitoneal metastases at diagnosis. The patients with intraperitoneal metastases and without distant metastases can benefit from cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Because up to a half of patients live for at least 5 years after this treatment, the treatment is used more and more often. The treatment of patients with intraperitoneal metastases with CRS and HIPEC costs more than the majority of other medical procedures, because CRS is extensive and takes a lot of time, and after surgery, patients need intensive care and expensive medications and equipment. Currently, only 40% to 80% of costs of CRS and HIPEC are reimbursed in Poland. Because CRS and HIPEC mean a financial loss to hospitals, they are rarely performed. We analyzed the costs of treating patients with peritoneal metastases by CRS and HIPEC in two centers (Gdank, Wroclaw) and showed how this treatment is reimbursed outside Poland. We discussed whether adequate qualification of patients and experience of the teams giving the treatment could reduce the costs.