Read about the first-ever Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump (HAIP) therapy in the UAE at Burjeel Medical City. A new hope for inoperable liver cancer patients with targeted chemotherapy.
In a landmark moment for Gulf region healthcare, a 60-year-old man in Abu Dhabi has become the first patient to receive a revolutionary liver cancer treatment using an implanted chemotherapy pump. This pioneering procedure, performed at Burjeel Medical City, offers a new lifeline for patients with inoperable liver tumours, marking a significant leap forward in the UAE's advanced cancer care capabilities.
The patient, suffering from colorectal cancer that had spread to his liver, had exhausted traditional treatment options. His tumours were deemed inoperable. The groundbreaking alternative was Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump (HAIP) therapy.
This sophisticated treatment involves surgically implanting a small pump beneath the skin, which delivers high doses of chemotherapy directly into the hepatic artery—the liver's main blood supply. Unlike systemic chemotherapy that affects the entire body, this targeted approach concentrates the powerful drugs precisely where the tumours are located. This maximizes the attack on cancer cells while significantly reducing widespread side effects, offering a better quality of life during treatment.
The complex, five-hour surgery was led by a multidisciplinary team at Burjeel Medical City. Dr. Mohammad Adileh, Consultant Oncological Surgeon and Head of General and Oncological Surgery, explained the transformative potential of the procedure.
"This technique makes it possible to shrink tumours that were previously deemed inoperable," stated Dr. Adileh. "In some cases, the shrinkage may reach levels that allow for surgery which wasn't possible before."
This is particularly significant for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in the liver, a condition that often presents limited and grim options once the disease progresses.
The successful implementation of HAIP therapy signals a new era for medical services in the UAE and the wider Middle East. Professor Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of the Burjeel Cancer Institute (BCI), emphasized the regional significance.
"Introducing HAIP in the UAE represents a major leap forward in cancer care," Professor Al Shamsi said. "It signals that patients in the UAE and the wider Gulf region no longer need to travel abroad for complex treatments of this kind. This breakthrough bolsters the UAE’s capacity to provide world-class cancer care locally."
While HAIP therapy is FDA-approved, it remains a rare procedure globally, offered only at a limited number of elite cancer centres. Its execution demands highly specialized surgical expertise, advanced infrastructure, and a dedicated multidisciplinary team for both the operation and ongoing patient management. By successfully delivering this treatment, Burjeel Medical City has positioned Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a leading destination for sophisticated oncology care, on par with top international institutions.
While not a universal cure, HAIP therapy is a powerful new weapon in the oncologist's arsenal. It is best suited for patients whose liver tumours are accessible via the hepatic artery and who are healthy enough to undergo major surgery.
This medical first at Burjeel Medical City represents a turning point. It provides tangible hope and a new line of defense for patients in the UAE facing advanced liver cancer, firmly establishing the nation as a hub for medical innovation and exceptional patient care.
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