Utah Cancer Center Offers New Hope for Advanced Cancer

For patients with advanced abdominal cancer who can't have traditional surgery, hope just arrived in Utah.

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah now offers PIPAC, a specialized procedure that delivers chemotherapy as a pressurized mist directly into the abdomen. It's the first center in the Mountain West to provide this treatment, bringing cutting-edge care closer to home for patients across five states.

The surgery helps patients whose cancer has spread too extensively throughout the abdominal cavity for doctors to safely remove all visible tumors. Traditional approaches like HIPEC require removing tumors before delivering heated chemotherapy, but not every patient qualifies for that intensive procedure.

PIPAC works differently. Surgeons make small incisions and use a laparoscopic camera to guide them as they spray chemotherapy mist throughout the abdominal cavity. The mist treats cancer cells on the lining of the abdomen where they're causing the most problems.

The entire procedure takes about an hour. Most patients go home the same day or after just one night in the hospital, returning to normal routines within a week.

"Many patients with advanced abdominal cancers are not candidates for other more aggressive treatments," says Dr. T. Clark Gamblin, surgical oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute. "PIPAC gives us another tool to offer these patients when treatment options may otherwise be limited."

Because the procedure is minimally invasive, it can be repeated every six to eight weeks. While it doesn't cure advanced disease, PIPAC may help control cancer growth, reduce painful symptoms, and potentially extend survival.

Why This Inspires

For families facing advanced cancer, every quality moment together matters. This treatment isn't about promising miracles but about giving patients realistic options when they need them most.

Dr. Gamblin focuses on helping patients understand what the treatment can accomplish and make informed decisions aligned with their goals. Sometimes maintaining quality of life and creating meaningful time with loved ones matters just as much as extending survival.

As a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Huntsman Cancer Institute serves patients across Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. Bringing innovative treatments to the region means patients can access specialized care without traveling across the country, staying closer to their support systems during difficult times.

The institute's commitment reflects a broader responsibility to advance cancer care for future generations while meeting the needs of today's patients who deserve every possible option.