A targeted chemotherapy treatment offering a lifeline to patients battling late-stage abdominal cancer has been used successfully in the UAE capital.
Doctors at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi said hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or Hipec, offered a “30 to 40 per cent” five-year survival rate for patients who would otherwise have little to no chance of living this long.
The treatment involves heating drugs before they are administered and is used when tumours have spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Rather than facing a series of intravenous infusions, patients receive a single dose of chemotherapy delivered directly to the abdomen.
This treatment is truly a lifeline for people with late stage abdominal cancer
Hipec is given immediately after surgery to remove all visible tumours.
It is administered while the patient is still in the operating room and destroys any remaining cancer cells.
“In some more advanced cases of abdominal cancer, patients may have hundreds of small tumours in their abdominal lining,” said Dr Yasir Akmal, an oncologic surgeon at the hospital.
“While these can be removed with surgery, a strong, targeted dose of chemotherapy is needed to kill any cancer cells left behind.
“Not only are we able to deliver the drugs directly to the affected area, it only requires a single dose, minimising the side effects for patients.”
Hipec is not new but it has been used in only a handful of hospitals worldwide.
In the procedure, the drugs are heated to 42°C, which enables them to penetrate tissue more deeply.
During the infusion, the patient’s body is gently rocked to ensure the chemotherapy reaches all parts of the abdominal cavity. The patient is placed on a cooling pad during the procedure to prevent overheating.
After the single treatment, patients remain in the hospital for about 10 days. Once recovered, they can return to their usual lives under the close supervision of their care team.
“This treatment is truly a lifeline for people with late-stage abdominal cancer. The five-year survival rate for patients who undergo Hipec is around 30 to 40 per cent, a number that would be close to zero without it,” Dr Akmal said.
“It’s a great option that gives years of a person’s life back.”
Doctors at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi expect to carry out a dozen more such treatments within the next 12 months.
The hospital, on Al Maryah Island, is expanding its cancer services and will open a dedicated oncology centre soon.
Modelled on Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Centre in Ohio, United States, the department will provide many advanced treatments and house support services designed to make patients as comfortable as possible.
Dr Akmal said the patient was recovering well.
“Surgery went very well,” he said. “Usually we expect patients in the hospital for 10 to 14 days, but she was here for less than a week.”
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The five pillars of Islam
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
