Yi-Hao Niu, Sheng-Ming Shi, Yong-Xia Chen, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
Ji-You Kou, Department of Preventive Medicine, Zhuhai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhuhai 519020, Guangdong Province, China
Co-first authors: Yi-Hao Niu and Sheng-Ming Shi.
Author contributions: Niu YH and Shi SM contribute equally to this study as co-first authors; Niu YH, Shi SM, and Chen YX contributed to research design, data collection, data analysis, and paper writing; Kou JY was responsible for research design, funding application, data analysis, reviewing and editing, communication coordination, ethical review, copyright and licensing, and follow-up.
AI contribution statement: We didn’t use AI to write this manuscript. The high AI score likely comes from using translation software (DeepL) to improve the English. That can accidentally make the text read like AI. All text is human-written.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No conflict of interest is associated with this work.
Corresponding author: Ji-You Kou, Chief Physician, Department of Preventive Medicine, Zhuhai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, No. 208 Yuehua Road, Gongbei, Zhuhai 519020, Guangdong Province, China. kjyzxy12138@163.com
Received: December 9, 2025 Revised: January 8, 2026 Accepted: February 2, 2026 Published online: May 15, 2026 Processing time: 156 Days and 1 Hours
Abstract
Peritoneal metastasis is one of the most frequent types of metastasis associated with poor prognosis in cases of gastric cancer. One new method for treating the disease, known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), involves local delivery of heat-activated chemotherapy drugs in order to target free circulating tumor cells and micrometastatic lesions. The purpose of this minireview paper is to describe recent developments in the field of HIPEC as a means of preventing and managing peritoneal dissemination in patients with gastric cancer. Studies conducted have shown the effectiveness of HIPEC in decreasing the risk of peritoneal recurrences and improving the prognosis of survival. Although certain difficulties remain in terms of surgical and postoperative complications, efforts to improve the effectiveness of the treatment are underway.
Core Tip: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy relies on a synergic use of heat and chemotherapy to prevent and manage the metastatic disease of the stomach. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can improve patient outcomes in terms of prevention of peritoneal metastases and survival, especially when used along with cytoreductive surgery. While complications may arise during the perioperative period, such issues can be managed in dedicated settings.
