CHICAGO – Debates over the value of hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may subside as cancer patients and their doctors learn of the French study done in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis. On the other hand, maybe they won't, because fans aplenty remain. "There are surgeons in the U.S. who are firm believers in HIPEC and others who are true skeptics," said Richard Schilsky, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). "If patients travel around, they're going to hear the entire spectrum" of opinion. In such a contentious environment, "to even be able to do a randomized study is quite remarkable," he said during ASCO's annual meeting. He also noted that the surgery is "technically demanding" and "takes its toll on both the surgeon and the patient."