Isabel's Case
What Isabel's family went through: how her son Vicenç and the rest of the family stood by her through a cervical cancer that progressed to peritoneal carcinomatosis, and what it meant to feel supported in every decision, including techniques such as PIPAC to control the disease as a chronic condition with the best possible quality of life.
Testimony of Vicenç, Isabel's son
Vicenç describes in his own words what his family has been through with Isabel, from a cervical cancer detected on a routine ultrasound to its progression to peritoneal carcinomatosis. It is a son's honest account: the uncertainty, the difficult decisions and, above all, the feeling of never being alone. The approach has combined every available option, surgical and non-surgical, with one clear goal for the family: that Isabel lives as long as possible and with quality of life.
- Cervical cancer detected on a routine ultrasound
- Initial chemoradiotherapy with disappearance of the tumour
- Recurrence and progression to peritoneal carcinomatosis
- Multimodal approach: chemotherapy, immunotherapy and PIPAC
- PIPAC: chemotherapy sprayed into the peritoneum by laparoscopy
- Goal: to control the disease with the best quality of life
When the goal is chronic control and support
Isabel presented with cervical cancer detected almost by chance, on a routine ultrasound that showed a suspicious image. A biopsy confirmed it was a malignant tumour and her gynaecologist referred her directly to Dr. Juan José Torrent.
At that first moment the tumour was localised and potentially curable. Following protocol, chemoradiotherapy with curative intent was started and the tumour disappeared. However, a few months later a CT scan showed that the disease had returned, this time in the body of the uterus.
Surgery was then considered. On opening to remove the uterus, ovaries and tubes, the team found peritoneal carcinomatosis: the tumour had spread across the peritoneal cavity in implants so small they were invisible on imaging. In that situation, removing the whole mass offered no benefit, so the strategy shifted towards treatments aimed at controlling the disease over the long term.
Isabel received chemotherapy and immunotherapy and, in addition, a more specialised and still uncommon technique: PIPAC. It consists of spraying chemotherapy directly inside the peritoneum by laparoscopy, without the need for open surgery. By delivering the drug directly onto the peritoneal implants, a much higher concentration is achieved in the tumour tissue than with intravenous chemotherapy, and it is complementary to the other treatments.
Surgery was reconsidered several times, but the disease, fused to structures such as the rectum, meant the risk outweighed the benefit. According to the family, every possible option, surgical and non-surgical, has been explored so that Isabel lives as long as possible and with the best quality of life.
"I am very grateful to Dr. Torrent. He has been with us all along, even in decisions he was not directly involved in. We have felt really well supported and we know that everything possible has been done." Vicenç, Isabel's son
The advice Vicenç shares as a caregiver is clear: get well informed and don't give up. Options often exist, such as newer techniques or clinical trials, that not every centre offers because they are not standardised. Being accompanied by professionals who know them makes the difference.
Isabel's lead physician
Oncological surgeon specialising in peritoneal carcinomatosis, PIPAC and HIPEC
Dr. Juan José Torrent
Oncological Surgeon
Specialist in highly complex oncological surgery and in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis, including PIPAC and HIPEC. His patients highlight how closely he supports them.
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When the disease is advanced, options exist to control it and maintain quality of life, including techniques such as PIPAC that not every centre offers. If you are looking for a second opinion or to explore treatments you have not been offered, allow us to evaluate your case.
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