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 provide hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, a life-saving and less severe alternative to traditional cancer treatment
Oct 23, 2024
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is proud to announce that it now offers hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI), an innovative technique to treat patients with cancers affecting the liver and gastrointestinal systems that have reached advanced stages. Elmhurst Hospital is the first public hospital on the East Coast and the first hospital in Queens to offer this groundbreaking therapy, which involves surgically placing a pump directly into a branch of the hepatic artery. High doses of chemotherapy are then delivered directly to the liver in a course of treatment that typically lasts six months, including follow-up visits every two weeks.
HAI chemotherapy has a number of positive benefits for patients. Research has shown that in some cases HAI chemotherapy may help people with cancers in advanced stages live longer. HAI also shrinks tumors with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy, delivering treatment directly to cancer cells 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 not had access to the latest and best treatments for cancer,” said Dr. Helen Arteaga-Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “Sadly, many of our patients come to us with cancers that have progressed to advanced stages. I’m excited that we are now bringing renewed hope to these patients by offering treatment options that can extend their lives.”
“We are very glad we can provide hepatic artery infusion pump therapy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst,” said Dr. Jennifer Whittington, Surgical Oncologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “This is an FDA-approved treatment for patients with colon and rectal cancers metastatic to the liver and unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. Everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, deserves access to state-of-the-art cancer care. This aligns with the mission of Elmhurst Hospital and the NYC Health + Hospitals system.”
“We are thrilled to have supported to the implementation of this new service now available at the hospital, and we feel truly honored to be part of an initiative that extends our patients’ life expectancies, allowing them to create cherished memories with their families and loved ones,” said Grace Ann Weick, ANP, MSN, MS, Associate Executive Director for Clinical Operations & Trauma Services.
“The implementation of this groundbreaking and clinically innovative program at our hospital, which will improve the quality of life for patients dealing with devastating illnesses, is powerful reminder of how our collective efforts can profoundly impact our patients and their families, and make a real difference in their futures in a positive way,” said Andrea Maldonado-Ortega, Director of Clinical Initiatives and Projects, Clinical Strategic Operations Office.
To find out 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 health care system, is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The 545-bed hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station, a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Receiving Center, a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Center of Excellence and a 911-Receiving Hospital. It is a premiere health care organization for several specialties, including surgery, cardiology, women’s health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services, and mental health services. Last year, the hospital received close to 700,000 ambulatory care visits and over 130,000 emergency room visits. The hospital has been nationally-ranked and named as a “Best Regional Hospital” by US News and World Report, and has been noted for providing 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 care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based 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 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.