HIPEC Second Opinions - OHIP

[Canada777]

This is a rather specific question but I'm hoping some Canadians might be able to help us out.

We are from Ontario and Toronto is the only location for HIPEC in Ontario. We've already been referred to Toronto for HIPEC surgery but after the laparoscopic look last week and being told they want to "consult" prior to saying yes/no to surgery we are thinking it might be wise to get a second opinion...and ASAP. He's already been off chemo for 8 weeks in preparation for this surgery so the options are get HIPEC surgery in the next two weeks or start all over on chemo again, hope the cancer doesn't grow, and try again for HIPEC in several months.

I know there are HIPEC centers in Calgary, Montreal and some in the States nearby. Has anyone in Ontario successfully gone out of province or to the states for a second opinion/surgery and had it funded through OHIP? There's no way we can pay out of pocket to have this surgery done elsewhere. I'm hoping that a referral from the Oncologist would be enough but I have no idea.

[Canada777]

Thought I'd post a reply to my own thread in case anyone else is ever in the same situation.

Toronto said no to HIPEC "tumor burden too great". Our amazing oncologist was able to get a hold of the Calgary HIPEC center the same day. Calgary was apparently the first location to do this surgery in Canada and is more "aggressive" with surgery. Best part is that Calgary has said yes to some patients for surgery when Toronto said no and OHIP has covered the cost!

Still keeping the hope alive

[Steph20021]

Thanks for the update! I had HIPEC in Toronto last August but just restarted chemo for recurrence as they said no to doing a second Hipec or surgery as its in my abdo wall and lymph nodes.
Ill be looking for your updates and wish you the best of luck!

[arizona mom]

How are you doing? Any word from Calgary?

I have an appt with a HIPEC surgeon on Thursday. I'm hoping I am a candidate. I'm back on FOLFOX and Avastin. Part of eligibility is proving the chemo at least keeps me stable. The waiting is so hard, as I'm sure you know.

[Canada777]

Hi Arizona mom - I hope all goes well with your consult for surgery.

Agreed - waiting is one of the worst parts. We are still waiting to hear from Calgary. Physician was apparently on holidays last week. In the meantime I did find an article based on a study done in Sweden. The article states that HIPEC can be curative even for people with a PCI score greater than 20 if the surgeon is able to resect all the cancer successfully. This is giving me some hope to hold onto while anxiously waiting. I pasted the link to the full article below in case it is of benefit to anyone else:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pe ... cf41a5.pdf

[arizona mom]

Thank you for that link...very hopeful.

[bakamui]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has been successful in going out of province for surgery and HIPEC care and have it being covered. There is only 1 specialist in BC and even with referral from oncologist, we haven't been able to get a hold of the surgeon for 2 weeks.

I've been reading up on BC MSP guidelines and it appears that it wouldn't be covered out of province since it is available... just that we haven't been able to even get a meeting yet.

Thanks in advance for any advice

[Canada777]

Hi - I don't come here much anymore but did see your post. It is possible to get surgery in another province! We live in Ontario and did try for surgery in Alberta (the Ontario surgeon denied my DH). Unfortunately, Alberta denied us as well (saying surgery too risky). However he did did get surgery in Buffalo (and OHIP paid for it). I'd recommend doing some research and talking to your oncologist if you aren't able to get surgery in BC.