Henry Ford Health team performs first PIPAC procedure in Michigan, offering new treatment for patients with cancer in the abdominal cavity

DETROIT  — A 60-year-old man from the Cadillac area has become the first patient in Michigan to receive a state-of-the-art aerosolized cancer treatment, performed by Henry Ford Health surgical oncologist Dr. Richard Berri and his team at Henry Ford St. John Hospital. The procedure offers new hope for patients with metastatic cancer inside their abdominal cavity.

The highly innovative pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy, known as PIPAC, is a laparoscopic surgical treatment for patients with advanced colorectal, appendiceal, gastric, ovarian and other cancers. The PIPAC procedure is reserved for these types of cancers because they occur within the peritoneal cavity, which makes traditional chemotherapy—which is delivered through blood—less effective. After surgeons make two small incisions in the patient’s abdomen, they insert a small device into the body. Through that device, doctors deliver the chemotherapy, which becomes aerosolized as it enters the body. Pressure helps push the chemo into the infected tissue and helps the drug attack the tumors in a concentrated, targeted way. 

“It is a minimally invasive procedure that is another excellent option for treatment,” Dr. Berri said of PIPAC. “The administration of the chemotherapy and monitoring of the patient is done remotely from outside the operating room for 30 minutes, with no person in the operating room while the aerosolized chemotherapy is delivered under pressure into the abdominal cavity.”

The patient, Bill Sinka of Lake City, Mich., has been battling stage IV cancer of the colon with peritoneal carcinomatosis since November 2024. He said he’d had gas pains for almost two months before severely worsening. A CT scan showed he needed emergency surgery, and he was then put on an 18-round chemotherapy regimen.

Traditional treatment options for him quickly withered. His original surgeon in Northern Michigan recommended Sinka make the 200-plus mile trek to Detroit to speak with Dr. Berri about additional options.

“It's been a struggle and a journey, but I refuse to give up,” Sinka said. “Dr. Berri mentioned this new PIPAC procedure being available, and I was like, ‘let’s try it.’ Dr. Berri is trying to help save my life and I am truly grateful, and I trust him. Of course it’s scary, but you have to trust someone.”

Prior to Sinka’s surgery in January, the PIPAC surgery had only been performed in California, Florida, New York, and Illinois. The procedure only takes approximately two hours and patients typically recover and leave the hospital within a day.

Dr. Berri was motivated to bring this new treatment to Henry Ford Health because of his vast expertise in Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Another treatment for those with advanced cancer in the abdominal cavity, Dr. Berri began his HIPEC program in 2011 and has since developed the leading center in the state for the HIPEC procedure, attracting patients from across the country.

The extension of that program, now with the addition of PIPAC, will allow even more patients to benefit from a therapy that is only offered at a few leading cancer centers around the country. Dr. Berri and team underwent significant training to bring this option to Henry Ford St. John Hospital. 

“The level of collaboration, teamwork and the ultimate success of this is a great testament to our program and hospital,” Dr. Berri said. “Most importantly, Bill is a remarkable man with an amazing family, and he knew he would be one of the first in the U.S. to receive this treatment. He is confident in our team and Henry Ford Health.” 

Sinka will now have two rounds of traditional chemotherapy before having another round of PIPAC in March. 

He said he can’t wait for the weather to warm and spring to come so he can get back to going bass fishing on the lake that he lives on.

“I’m doing better now,” he said. “I’m hopeful that this will improve my quality of life.” 

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