UAE surgeons at Burjeel Cancer Institute implant region’s first Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump (HAIP) to deliver targeted chemotherapy for liver tumors, marking a regional breakthrough.
ABU DHABI: In a pioneering regional medical achievement, surgeons at Burjeel Cancer Institute (BCI) have successfully implanted a Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump (HAIP) in a patient with inoperable liver tumors, marking the first such surgery in the GCC. The procedure signals a new chapter in advanced oncology care within the UAE and the wider region.
The patient, a man in his sixties diagnosed with colorectal cancer that had metastasised to the liver, was found ineligible for traditional surgical resection. Following a detailed assessment, the BCI medical team devised a dual treatment strategy involving the removal of the primary colon tumour alongside implantation of the HAIP device.
This FDA-approved device delivers a high concentration of chemotherapy directly into the hepatic artery, the liver’s main blood vessel. Since liver tumours derive most of their blood supply from this artery, the targeted chemotherapy approach offers higher efficacy with significantly fewer side effects than conventional methods.
The complex five-hour operation was carried out without complications. Post-surgery, the patient remains in stable condition under observation. According to Dr. Mohammad Adileh, Head of General and Oncological Surgery at Burjeel Medical City, “This breakthrough gives hope to patients with advanced liver metastases, potentially transforming inoperable tumours into surgically removable ones and extending survival rates.”
Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of BCI, added, “Introducing HAIP therapy in the UAE strengthens our standing as a leader in advanced oncology and enhances our reputation in global medical tourism. Patients now have access to cutting-edge cancer treatment without needing to travel abroad.”
The HAIP method is used only at select global cancer centres due to its high complexity. With this milestone, BCI reaffirms its commitment to medical innovation and offering world-class healthcare solutions in the region.
