Bill’s Story

How Heated Chemotherapy Treatment Transformed Outlook for Former Sergeant with Appendix Cancer

It all started with a pain in his right abdomen that wouldn’t go away, recalls Bill Ash. After ignoring the pain initially, he went to his primary care doctor thinking he may have a hernia. “My doctor said, I definitely don’t have a hernia, but I would need surgery to remove my appendix.”

A life-changing diagnosis

After undergoing the surgical procedure, Bill woke up to news that would change his life. “The doctor said I have advanced appendix cancer. It is so rare that it affects fewer than 1,000 Americans every year and not much could be done.” As he was absorbing the news that hit him like a gut punch, Bill believes there was a divine intervention that would provide him with hope. “A health worker who I believe was in training with the surgeon said her aunt had advanced appendix cancer and she had a special surgery with Dr. Richard Berri and it saved her life.”

Renewed confidence with HIPEC

After being told he may have one to two years to live with the local surgeon, Bill received a second opinion with Dr. Berri, chief of surgical oncology and director of the Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program at Henry Ford St. John Hospital, one of the leading HIPEC programs in the country. As soon as Bill talked to Dr. Berri, he knew he was in the right place for treatment. “Dr. Berri strongly disagreed with the previous prognosis and told me about his extensive experience and published results with HIPEC, a combination of surgery and heated chemotherapy that can improve survival rates compared to traditional treatments including chemotherapy. I don’t believe I would be alive today if I hadn’t met Dr. Berri.”

Understanding HIPEC and Bill’s treatment plan

With confidence in Dr. Berri and a strong will to prolong his life, Bill underwent the HIPEC procedure in May, 2023 and August, 2024.

Dr. Berri, explains HIPEC is a preferred treatment option for individuals like Bill with appendix cancer that has spread to other areas in the abdomen. The combined treatment procedure offers the ability to remove as much of the visible tumor as possible from the abdominal cavity through surgery. A heated chemotherapy solution is then circulated within the abdomen to kill any remaining cancer cells that may be too small to see. The procedure offers life-changing outcomes for patients that may not have been given much hope with other treatments. “Our published data on outcomes in our high-volume program shows an average five-year overall survival of 84.5 percent for low grade tumors of the appendix, and 66.3% for high grade tumors of the appendix,” he says.

Dr. Berri adds that Bill’s positive outlook was also an important component for his recovery. “Overall physical and mental strength is a key to having a successful outcome after this complex treatment and Bill is someone who is completely focused and dedicated to doing everything he can to ensure a good outcome. Bill’s successful HIPEC treatment has allowed him to continue to enjoy the things he values in life,” he adds.

Living with purpose and positivity

Bill says despite dealing with this “horrible disease”- and perhaps because of it-he makes it a priority to spend time with his two children and lead an active life including going to the gym and playing golf. “There are days when I may not feel up to doing a full workout but it’s important to keep physically fit not just from a physical standpoint but from a mental aspect.”

For others diagnosed with appendix cancer he offers his hard-earned perspective and encouragement. “I’m so grateful to Dr. Berri and his staff who are clearly at the top of their game in treating this disease. They have a fighting spirit and provide hope when others don’t. If you are diagnosed with appendix cancer, I would highly recommend being evaluated by Dr. Berri. I affectionately call him the Stud. No one is more impressive at what he does.”