HIPEC Surgery Empowers Patient with Advanced Colon Cancer

Other than feeling tired which he attributed to a lack of sleep, Tim Martin of Orchard Lake, didn’t think much of undergoing a physical at age 41. “It’s something I think many people think is pointless especially at a young age,” says Tim. Blood tests, however, revealed concerning news with abnormal blood levels and iron deficiency. His primary care physician suggested Tim undergo a colonoscopy at Henry Ford Medical Center - Columbus. The diagnostic procedure showed a tumor. As Tim was wrapping his head around the shocking news, his medical team wasted no time in getting him into surgery promptly where Henry Ford colon cancer surgeon Suryato Nalamati, M.D. removed the cancerous tumor.

Further tests revealed that Tim had stage 4 colon cancer which had spread to his lymph nodes and peritoneal wall, the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Researching options transforms Tim’s journey

After undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and manage his symptoms, Tim with the help of his wife Elizabeth, who he describes as his biggest supporter, took charge in researching the best options to manage his advanced cancer diagnosis.

A local medical oncologist suggested Tim be evaluated by Richard Berri, M.D., chief of surgical oncology and director of the Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program at Henry Ford St. John Hospital. HIPEC, which combines surgery with heated chemotherapy for advanced colon cancer that has spread to the peritoneum can improve quality of life and potentially extend life expectancy for some patients. Under Dr. Berri’s leadership, the HIPEC program at Henry Ford St. John Hospital is one of the largest programs in terms of volume and draws patients from around the country.

When Tim was seen by Dr. Berri, he felt a sense of hope and confidence in his treatment approach.

Dr. Berri explains that advanced imaging like MRIs, PET scans, and CT scans for patients with advanced colon cancer that has spread to the peritoneum, like Tim, may underestimate the extent of tumor presence in the abdominal cavity so an important component of the treatment plan includes a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to explore the true extent of tumor presence and then determine the best treatment options. “Tim’s HIPEC treatment involved surgery to remove as much of the visible tumor as possible, followed by a fluid wash with heated chemotherapy which enhances the effectiveness in killing cancer cells,” he notes. “Our published study in The American Journal of Surgery reported data on the first 353 patients who underwent HIPEC at Henry Ford St. John Hospital. In this article we have shown that HIPEC can be highly successful in improving quality of life and survival for cancers that have spread to the abdominal cavity. This advanced procedure allows patients like Tim to be treated effectively and resume their normal activities which is extremely important.”

Living an active life while undergoing treatment

With multiple surgeries he has endured the past four years, Tim and his wife have made a commitment to continue to enjoy life and activities they value. “We love travel and adventure and enjoy going on our pontoon boat and cruising,” he shares. “It’s important for your mental state to not let cancer dictate and deter your everyday life. Despite the multiple treatments, we are finding how to wrap care around our life not the other way around.”

Taking pride and enjoyment in cancer charity efforts

Tim proudly states one unexpected silver lining in his cancer journey has been the opportunity to raise awareness and funds to help others with colon cancer. To his surprise, Tim was a grant recipient of the Jerry Williams Shootout for the Cure golf event part of the Jerome F. Williams Gastric Cancer Program founded by Jerome’s wife Ann Marie Williams in honor of her husband who was a patient of Dr. Berri. The program and golf outing raises funds to help bridge the gap for needed services for colon cancer patients. Tim with his wife Elizabeth and family members paid it forward recently by contributing financially to the golf outing to help other colon cancer patients that may need financial assistance and support during their cancer journey. Tim and Elizabeth have also been active members in the annual Walk to End Colon Cancer for the past three years. “We’ve been the top fundraiser the past two years. If there’s anything good that has come out of this diagnosis, it’s the opportunity to raise awareness and funds to help others with colon cancer and having fun doing it,” he expresses.

Defying the odds and focusing on new chapter

As Tim reflects on his colon cancer diagnosis, he is quick to point out that he doesn’t focus on his prognosis but rather his next steps in his journey, one filled with hope and support thanks to his wife, employer, and medical team including Dr. Berri.

“As I approach my fourth year since being diagnosed, I have defied the odds with around 15-20 percent 5-year survival. With so much to live for, I am grateful for the Henry Ford St. John staff who consistently treated me with compassion even when I was bull-headed. Dr. Berri, who told me it’s important to be bull-headed when taking on cancer, also provided a gift that so many patients seek. He gave me hope and wants every patient to not walk away from his office and feel that they're at the end of the road. That is a powerful feeling to walk into.