The patient, 8-year-old Kelly of Miami, is doing well following the treatment, which involves introducing heated chemotherapy directly into the child’s abdomen immediately after removing the tumor tissue. This treatment helps destroy tiny cancer cells that may linger following the removal of the tumor, and inhibit tumor re-growth.
Kelly has been in the care of Miami Children’s since 2006 and has undergone a series of treatments for a recurrent form of cancer in her abdomen (rhabdomyosarcoma). Concerned about her prognosis, the child’s oncologists attempted to send Kelly to The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital in Houston, where the HIPEC procedure was pioneered.
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When the child’s medical insurance plan did not approve the out-of-state treatment, a Miami Children’s Hospital care team and a lead physician from The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital joined together to bring the care directly to Kelly, right here in Miami.
Leading the effort was Miami Children’s Interim Chief of Pediatric Surgery Dr. Cathy Burnweit, who received advance training and on-site procedural oversight from HIPEC pioneer Dr. Andrea Hayes-Jordan, Associate Professor and Director of Pediatric Surgical Oncology at The MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. Dr. Hayes-Jordan is the first and, until September 30, the only surgeon in the country to perform the procedure in children.
“Dr. Andrea Hayes-Jordan, said of the joint venture, “At Miami Children’s, I have been privileged to work with an elite team that puts the needs of children first.”
Dr. Cathy Burnweit, said, “Kelly has exceeded our recovery expectations. Our hopes are high that this intervention will offer her and her family a brighter future.” The Florida procedure will also lead to greater access to the HIPEC intervention for other children who meet the criteria for treatment.
Kelly’s hematologist/oncologist Dr. Guillermo De Angulo, of Miami Children’s Hospital’s Cancer Center, said, “We knew we had exhausted available treatments for Kelly. When Kelly’s mother heard Dr. Hayes-Jordan speak at an on-campus lecture for the MCH medical staff, she knew HIPEC was something she wanted to attempt for Kelly. Thanks to this collaboration, we were able to make that dream come true.”
Dr. M. Narendra Kini, President and CEO of Miami Children’s Hospital, said, “Miami Children’s is committed to bringing the latest innovations to our campus. We are proud to collaborate with MD Anderson to offer hope to a family in in need.”
For more information about Miami Children’s Hospital, please visit www.mch.com
About Miami Children’s Hospital
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Miami Children's Hospital® is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with more than 650 attending physicians and over 130 pediatric sub-specialists. The 289-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with specialty programs ranked among the best in the nation in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 by U.S.News & World Report. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional honor.
About MD Anderson
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. MD Anderson is one of only 40 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. For eight of the past 10 years, including 2011, MD Anderson has ranked No. 1 in cancer care in "America's Best Hospitals," a survey published annually in U.S. News & World Report.
About the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital
The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital has been serving children, adolescents and young adults for more than 50 years. In addition to the groundbreaking research and quality of treatment available to pediatric patients, the Children’s Cancer Hospital provides its patients with comprehensive programs that help the children lead more normal lives during and after treatment. For further information, visit the Children’s Cancer Hospital website.