Oncologists of the NMIC of Radiology and the Kostroma Oncological dispensary performed an innovative operation for chemoperfusion of liver cancer

Isolated liver chemoperfusion as a method of combating multiple metastases has already been described in the world and domestic literature, but it is rarely used in modern oncology because of the extremely complex technique of execution. To achieve the desired result – the destruction of metastases by washing the isolated liver with a high-dose solution of a chemotherapy drug of the right temperature – requires the coherence of the work of high-class doctors of several specialties at once and a set of appropriate equipment.

A landing of oncologists led by the Director General of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Kaprin, came to his colleagues at the Kostroma Oncological Dispensary, where on November 14 they successfully performed a joint operation using this rare treatment technology. The 70-year-old patient is still in intensive care, her indicators are normal, her breathing is independent, and she is preparing for transfer to a regular ward.
– The operation took place in the normal mode, the well-being of our patient corresponds to the severity of the surgical intervention, – commented on the event the chief doctor of the Kostroma oncological dispensary.

– Of course, we hope for the optimal result that this method can give. We used a chemotherapy drug of 10 times higher concentration, which, on the one hand, increases the impact power on the tumor, but nevertheless excludes aggressive effects on the entire body.

– So far, only two cancer centers in the world have had experience using such a chemotherapy drug – in the USA and Germany. Now we plan to make the Kostroma Oncological dispensary a reference center with the practice of using such a technique in Russia,” added Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Kaprin.

– The regional oncological dispensary is now being powerfully rebuilt and expanded, such an operation is already the second on their account, and therefore Kostroma may become the third center in the world for this type of cancer care.

A patient Natalia Vasilyevna from Kostroma had a tumor on her eye – uveal melanoma – detected and removed 15 years ago.  A very rare disease that occurs in 3% of reported cases of melanoma. However, the liver often becomes the site of the appearance of a secondary tumor – metastases from other foci: from the stomach, intestines, breast – and is extremely difficult to treat. In the case of Natalia Vasilyevna, due to the high prevalence of the process, neither surgery nor standard chemotherapy were already possible.
A consultation led by the chief physician of the dispensary and the chief oncologist of the Kostroma region, Vladimir Unguryan, offered the patient a rare method – chemoperfusion.

– I believe that everything will work out for us, – the patient told the doctors during the rounds on the eve of the operation.

– The main thing is to gather strength of mind. I have it.

Natalia Vasilyevna was operated on for 6 hours by two teams of surgeons. The work turned out to be well-coordinated and effective.

– After half an hour, we understood each other without words, – said Leonid Petrov, head of the abdominal department of the A.F. Tsyba MRSC, a branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia, who directly performed the first stage of the operation – liver isolation.

In the future, according to the chief oncologist of the Central Federal District Sergey Ivanov, who also took part in the Kostroma operation, the possibilities of the method can be expanded through the use of radionuclides.
In general, doctors are confident that the use of this method will allow to achieve an increase in the overall survival rate in patients with inoperable primary or metastatic liver cancer.

– The method requires very high professional training of doctors of several specialties at once — abdominal surgeons, chemotherapists, perfusiologists, anesthesiologists, well-coordinated, teamwork and appropriate equipment of the clinic, – said Academician Kaprin.

– And, of course, the desire of doctors to look for something new that will help cope with the disease, hopeless patients yesterday.  There is such a team in Kostroma.

The purpose of the trip to Kostroma for the chief oncologist The Ministry of Health of Russia was not only to exchange experience, but also to assess the real state of cancer care in the region. During the working visit, guests from Moscow and Obninsk visited the construction of a new building, got acquainted with the plan for the development of diagnostic and radiological services in the region, the creation of an Outpatient Cancer Care Center and the modernization of the cancer care system as a whole.

– It should be noted that this work is being carried out with the active support of the regional administration, – said Andrey Dmitrievich at a meeting with Governor Sergei Sitnikov.

– New equipment is being purchased, young personnel are being attracted. And despite the fact that Kostroma does not have its own medical school, this is, of course, the number one task for the development of cancer care.

– The most important thing is that you appeared in the oncological dispensary? new active? a team of young people who got very good? education, passed a good practice, arrived? to Kostroma land. And today we have gathered a really powerful team? with a very good philosophy to fight for every patient to the last, – said the Governor of the Kostroma region Sergey Sitnikov at a meeting with Andrey Kaprin.

Press Service of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia