Inflammation is associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence. Various methods have
been used to decrease the inflammatory response induced by the cancer and surgery. In this
study the investigators would like determine if a commonly used sedative drug
(dexmedtomidine) has an impact on this inflammatory state when used as part of the
anesthetic. The investigators will conduct a pilot study with 20 patients undergoing a
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure as part of their cancer
treatment. 10 patients will receive the standard of care for anesthesia during the cancer
surgery and a placebo infusion of normal saline at a rate consistent to that of the study
drug. 10 additional patients will receive the same standard of care anesthetic plan with the
addition of an infusion of dexmeditomidine during the procedure. The investigators will
measure the degree of inflammation before, during and after the surgical procedure by looking
at the levels of inflammatory markers in blood samples. The goal is to determine if the
addition of dexmodtomidine affects the inflammatory state of patients undergoing a HIPEC
procedure. This information will be used to guide future studies aiming at decreasing cancer
recurrence and improve patient outcomes.