An innovative but aggressive procedure combining surgery and heated chemotherapy is now available for abdominal cancer patients at the Detroit-based Henry Ford Cancer Institute. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment option for cancers that spread to the lining of the abdomen, such as appendicular, colorectal, gastric, and ovarian cancers.
“This procedure targets and destroys microscopic cancer cells that cannot be seen by the human eye,” says Dr. David Kwon, director of cancer surgery at the Cancer Institute. “Destroying these cells prevents them from later growing into new cancer tumors. It has shown to be an effective, viable treatment option for properly selected patients.”
The treatment will be named the Lindsey and Brett Finsilver HIPEC Program, in honor of Lindsey’s campaign to raise $1.5 million to create the comprehensive HIPEC program during her fight with a rare form of appendix cancer.
Brett says it was his late wife’s “sincerest wish” to launch a HIPEC program that would offer hope to others.
“This is a legacy about who Lindsey was. She was beyond grateful for the family and friends who made this wish a reality and was overjoyed to achieve it during her time with us,” he says.
The HIPEC program comprises new equipment to perform the treatment and an integrated team of more than 30 cancer specialists, including specialty-trained surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, anesthesiologists, nurse navigators, and other support staff.
The Henry Ford Cancer Institute provides care at four hospitals and four inpatient facilities throughout southeast Michigan. More information can be found here.
