People in northeast Georgia now have access to a new, highly specialized cancer treatment through Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS). Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville recently launched a Hepatic Artery Infusion (HAI) Pump Therapy program – becoming one of only three hospitals in Georgia to offer this option for patients with certain types of liver cancer.
HAI Pump Therapy delivers high-dose chemotherapy directly to the liver using a small, implanted pump. This targeted approach allows a stronger, more concentrated dose of chemotherapy to reach liver tumors while limiting exposure to the rest of the body. The goal is to shrink the cancer enough for surgical removal or, in some cases, eliminate it entirely. This treatment is an option for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver and bile duct cancer, especially those who may not initially be candidates for surgery.
“This new therapy gives hope to patients who have very few options, and it’s another example of how we’re continuing to lead the way in cancer care for our community,” said Terence Jackson, MD, a hepato-pancreato-biliary and advanced gastrointestinal surgical oncologist with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG). “Receiving care close to home helps patients in so many different ways, and that’s exactly why our team is committed to expanding cancer care here at NGMC.”
Dr. Jackson said “it takes a village” to treat just one patient, which is why few hospitals offer the therapy. Thanks to the teamwork between NGHS’ surgeons, medical oncologists, interventional radiologists, oncology nurses and nuclear medicine specialists – along with the partnership of Shravanti Macherla, MD, an oncologist with Longstreet Clinic, and Andre Kallab, MD, an oncologist with Diagnostic Clinic – the team has already successfully treated their first patient.
“One of the really unique things about our program is that we’re able to perform this procedure robotically,” said Nelson Royall, MD, also a hepato-pancreato-biliary and advanced gastrointestinal surgical oncologist with NGPG. “That means smaller incisions, faster recovery times and better outcomes for our patients. In fact, our first patient was able to leave the hospital just a couple of days after surgery and start chemotherapy a few weeks later.”
The HAI Pump Therapy program is another innovative option offered to cancer patients at NGMC, along with Histotripsy. The program offers individualized care, helping to identify and provide patients with the best options available.
To learn more about this therapy and other cancer care services available at NGMC, visit nghs.com/cancer.