Targeted Power: How Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Pumps Revolutionize Liver Cancer Treatment

When it comes to treating liver tumors—especially those that are difficult to remove surgically or resistant to traditional chemotherapy—hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) pumps offer a cutting-edge, highly targeted approach. At the forefront of this specialized treatment in New York City is Dmitri Alden, MD, FACS, a nationally recognized liver and cancer surgeon known for his expertise in advanced hepatic therapies and surgical innovation.

HAI pumps, also called intrahepatic chemotherapy pumps, deliver chemotherapy directly into the liver’s blood supply, maximizing the dose to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body. This method is showing powerful results in improving outcomes, especially for patients with primary liver cancer or metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver.

What Is Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI)?

HAI therapy involves the surgical placement of a small pump, usually implanted in the abdomen. This pump is connected to the hepatic artery, the main blood vessel that supplies the liver. Because liver tumors typically receive most of their blood supply from this artery (while normal liver tissue relies more on the portal vein), HAI can target tumors with high-dose chemotherapy while sparing most of the healthy liver.

The pump releases chemotherapy drugs, most often floxuridine (FUDR), over a period of time directly into the liver. The treatment is often used alongside systemic chemotherapy, creating a dual attack on the cancer—local and systemic.

Why Use HAI for Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer is notoriously difficult to treat. Many patients are not candidates for resection due to the size, number, or location of tumors, and even after resection, chemotherapy is needed to kill remaining cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy aline often has a limited effect on liver tumors due to the organ’s complex blood filtration.

HAI therapy addresses these challenges by:

• Delivering 400 times higher drug concentration to the liver than IV chemotherapy alone
• Reducing systemic side effects
• Shrinking tumors that were previously considered unresectable
• Increasing the chance of surgical resection and long-term survival

Proven Results with HAI Therapy

Studies from leading cancer centers, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins, have demonstrated strong benefits for HAI:

• In patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases, HAI combined with systemic therapy has shown response rates of 70–90%, compared to around 40% with systemic therapy alone.
• A 2020 analysis found that median survival increased to 51 months in some patients treated with HAI, versus 24 months with systemic chemotherapy only.
• HAI therapy also improves disease control rates and may convert unresectable liver tumors into operable candidates, opening the door to potentially curative surgery.

Who Is a Candidate for HAI Pump Therapy?

HAI is typically considered for:

• Patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver
• Select patients with primary liver tumors (like hepatocellular carcinoma)
• Those with tumors confined to the liver or predominantly in the liver
• Patients with good liver function and limited extrahepatic disease

At the practice of Dmitri Alden, MD, FACS, each patient is carefully evaluated with advanced imaging, liver function tests, and a comprehensive cancer workup. Dr. Alden’s multidisciplinary approach—integrating surgical precision, oncology, and liver function preservation—ensures each case is treated individually with the most appropriate combination of systemic and regional therapies.

Why Choose Dr. Dmitri Alden for HAI in NYC?

With over two decades of specialized experience, Dr. Dmitri Alden is among the most sought-after liver and cancer surgeons in New York City and the U.S. Known for his innovative techniques and patient-first philosophy, Dr. Alden has successfully performed thousands of complex liver surgeries and is one of the few surgeons nationally offering HAI pump placement as part of a comprehensive cancer strategy.

His practice is built around cutting-edge technology, individualized care, and collaboration with leading oncologists to ensure every treatment plan is tailored for maximum impact.

Schedule a Consultation

If you or a loved one is facing liver cancer or colorectal cancer with liver metastases, hepatic arterial infusion therapy may offer new hope. Contact the office of Dr. Dmitri Alden in New York City to learn more about whether HAI is the right step in your treatment journey.

This is more than advanced cancer care—it’s precision therapy designed to extend life, preserve liver function, and improve outcomes when it matters most.