NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is the first hospital in Queens to offer groundbreaking treatment for liver cancer patients
Elmhurst Hospital is the first public hospital on the East Coast to offer hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, a life-saving and less serious alternative to traditional cancer treatment
Oct 23, 2024
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is proud to announce that it is now offering hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI), an innovative technique to treat patients with cancers of the liver and gastrointestinal system that have progressed to advanced stages. Elmhurst Hospital is the first public hospital on the East Coast and the first hospital in Queens to offer this groundbreaking therapy, in which a pump is surgically inserted directly into a branch of the hepatic artery. High doses of chemotherapy are then delivered directly into the liver. Treatment typically lasts six months and includes follow-up visits every two weeks.
HAI chemotherapy has a number of positive benefits for patients. Research has shown that HAI chemotherapy can, in some cases, help people with advanced cancer live longer. HAI also shrinks tumors with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy by treating the cancer cells directly and limiting how much of the drug reaches healthy parts of the body.
“Many of our patients come from poor and immigrant communities or are uninsured and have historically lacked access to the latest and greatest cancer treatments,” he said Dr. AS Helen Arteaga-Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “Unfortunately, many of our patients develop cancer at an advanced stage. I am pleased that we are now giving these patients new hope by offering treatments that can extend their lives.”
“We are very pleased to be able to offer hepatic artery infusion pump therapy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst,” he said Dr. Jennifer Whittington, surgical oncologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “This is an FDA-approved treatment for patients with colon and rectal cancer with metastasis to the liver and unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. Everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, deserves access to state-of-the-art cancer care. This is consistent with the mission of Elmhurst Hospital and the NYC Health + Hospitals system.”
“We are delighted to have supported the launch of this new service, now available at the hospital, and we are truly honored to be part of an initiative that will extend the life expectancy of our patients and enable them to create precious memories with their families and relatives to create those,” said Grace Ann Weick, ANP, MSN, MS, assistant executive director for clinical operations and trauma services.
“The implementation of this groundbreaking and clinically innovative program at our hospital, which will improve the quality of life for patients with devastating diseases, is a powerful reminder of how our collective efforts can have a profound impact on our patients and their families and make a real difference. “They will have a positive impact on their future,” he said Andrea Maldonado-Ortega, Director of Clinical Initiatives and Projects, Clinical Strategic Operations Office.
To learn more about this program, please call 718-334-3201.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT: Atiya Butler, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, 917-319-5167
#173-24
About New York City Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, part of the NYC Health + Hospitals healthcare system, is the largest tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The 545-bed hospital is a Level 1 trauma center, an emergency cardiac care unit, a stroke admission center with thrombectomy capability, a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Center of Excellence and an emergency hospital. It is a leading healthcare organization across multiple specialties including surgery, cardiology, women’s health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services and psychiatric services. Last year, the hospital recorded nearly 700,000 outpatient care visits and over 130,000 emergency room visits. The hospital has been named a “Best Regional Hospital” nationally by US News and World Report and is known for exceptional care in key areas including heart failure, heart attack, stroke, hip fracture, kidney failure, orthopedics, pneumonia and COPD. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElmhurstHosp.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health system in the country, serving more than one million New Yorkers annually at more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of neighborhood outpatient primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency and MetroPlus health plan – all supported by 11 major hospitals. The diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is focused solely on empowering New Yorkers to live the healthiest lives possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook. TwitterInstagram and LinkedIn.
