Innovative Cancer Treatment at Intermountain Cedar City Hospital Gives Hope and Options to Southern Utah Man
Innovative cancer care at Intermountain Cedar City Hospital is helping a Southern Utah man overcome a cancer diagnosis and providing hope for the future.
New Harmony resident, Gary Hugie, 88-years-old, knows first-hand how this approach can make a difference.
Hugie refuses to let a colon and liver cancer diagnosis discourage him from reaching his life goals. Hugie has his sights set on reaching 100 years of age, camping more often, and cherishing time with his family.
Hugie’s unwavering determination is fueled by his optimism of his cancer treatments, which includes Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Therapy (HAIP) — an innovative cancer treatment that he is currently receiving at the Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center.
The HAIP delivers high-potency chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body.
The Intera 3000 HAI Pump, the only FDA-approved implantable pump for HAI therapy, delivers chemotherapy directly into the hepatic artery, ensuring targeted treatment to liver tumors.
The pump is surgically implanted below the skin in the lower abdomen, and is powered by body heat rather than batteries, allowing continuous drug delivery without mechanical failure.
“In some cases, HAIP may open opportunities for definitive therapies like surgery, all while allowing patients to maintain a better quality of life with reduced reliance on systemic chemotherapy,” said Bryce Perkins, DO, a cancer specialist at the Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center.
Dr. Perkins introduced Hugie to HAIP after his colon cancer had spread to his liver.
The chemotherapy had taken a toll as he fought the weakness and pain that often accompanies liver cancer chemotherapy. Dr. Perkins felt he could benefit from the improved quality of life a Hepatic Pump could provide with his type of diagnosis.
Hugie is now the only patient in Southern Utah with an Intera 3000 HAI pump who is currently receiving treatment.
The journey to utilizing this type of treatment in Cedar City on an 88-year-old patient is a testament to resilience and dedication.
It took the collaboration of caregivers at Intermountain Cedar City Hospital, a patient with a fighting spirit, a caring family and innovative work by caregivers at two Intermountain Health facilities to make this treatment a reality.
This innovative treatment started with Intermountain’s providers collaborating across the state.
Dr. Perkins is one of the few Intermountain oncologists in Utah with experience in implementing the HAIP device. He worked closely with Ivan Zendejas, MD, from Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, to determine HAIP patients’ eligibility.
Dr. Zendejas performed Hugie’s initial surgery to implant the pump at Intermountain Medical Center – and Dr. Perkins was able to continue the treatment in Cedar City, close to Hugie’s home.
Before offering this option for HAIP Therapy, Dr. Perkins trained the Intermountain Health Cedar City Cancer Center oncology team.
"Our staff had to go through an extensive onboarding process from dosing schedules to the absolute importance of follow-up intervals and even accessing the port in a less-than-usual location," Dr. Perkins said.
Fortunately, Dr. Perkins knew Intermountain caregiver were eager to learn to ensure the best care for local patients.
"Our team here is enthusiastic about giving our patients what they need to succeed, and we jumped into the training to get pump patients up and going," he said.
Support for Hugie’s journey started with his family. He had tremendous support from his beautiful wife, Dorothy, of 67 years and his five kids.
From the moment he started feeling unwell on a camping trip that led to his diagnosis, through colon surgery, chemotherapy and appointments, they have all been by their father’s side, watching him fight this battle.
After his colon surgery removed several inches of his colon, the cancer spread to his liver, and chemotherapy became difficult.
“It was creating some major side effects for him, so that's when we decided the pump might be the alternative,” said Darsena Meeder, Hugie’s daughter.
Hugie said having his treatments close to home, every two weeks, has made all the difference in his decision to continue receiving this life-altering treatments.
Hugie has seen an improved quality of life and experiences fewer harsh side effects. The HAIP has also helped control the growth of the cancer in his liver.
While Hugie knows that he may have to return to some stronger chemotherapy as part of his treatment plan, he remains grateful for the opportunity to have these moments to pursue his goals.
“I appreciate Dr. Perkins and all of his staff at Intermountain Health for the wonderful job they are doing,” Hugie said.
Dr. Perkins, along with his oncology team at Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center and his peers at Intermountain Medical Center, have been looking to provide new hope for patients, such as HAIP that represent a significant advancement in cancer care.
"Overall, we aim to keep patients safe and healthy while keeping them close to home," Dr. Perkins said.
Dr. Perkins, along with his oncology team at Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center, and his colleagues at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, are providing new hope for cancer patients.
Their work is driven by helping cancer patients, like Hugie, reach their goals and they hope to see Hugie reach his goal of living to 100 years.
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