Clinical Innovation

Pancreatic center focuses on innovative efforts, global research

Henry Ford Pancreatic Cancer Center (HFPCC) has endeavored relentlessly to improve pancreatic cancer care, prognosis and survivorship, with the goal of improving quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients.

Funded by a combined gift of $36M, the Center has become one of the most experienced pancreatic cancer programs in the region and is nationally recognized for its clinical and scientific strength. Our team combines world-renowned clinical, scientific and translational expertise to deliver personalized care that boosts patients’ health and well-being—while leading multi-institutional research consortiums to improve patient outcomes, develop new therapies and help drive early-detection initiatives. In addition, for the past three years, we have brought together top clinicians and researchers from across the country to discuss the latest advancements in pancreatic cancer care at our annual Multidisciplinary Pancreas Symposium.

Innovating throughout our cancer specialties and treatment

Henry Ford Cancer has a strong heritage of innovative cancer technology, advanced procedures and groundbreaking clinical trials. Here are some of our latest developments:

New adaptive radiation technology

Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Jackson Hospital have acquired a revolutionary new cancer treatment delivery system, Varian Hypersight—which harnesses the power of artificial intelligence-driven, CT- guided, adaptive radiation therapy to provide highly advanced, precise and personalized cancer care to patients. This technology can be used to treat a wide range of cancers and will also soon be available at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital and Henry Ford Cancer – Brownstown.

Sentinel node biopsy for head and neck cutaneous melanoma

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the most precise and accurate staging technique for malignant melanoma, and we are one of the few centers in Michigan to adopt this innovative and minimally invasive procedure. The sentinel lymph node biopsy can eliminate the need for extensive surgery. Patients experience less discomfort with a small incision, and they have fewer side effects.

One of few Michigan centers to offer CAR-T immunotherapy

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a highly personalized immunotherapy treatment option. This cellular therapy may help protect patients against cancer recurrence and result in long-term remission. Designed for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients, this therapy supercharges T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells. The T-cells may remain active in the body for many years after the treatment.

The latest techniques for sarcomas and other musculoskeletal tumors

Our orthopedic oncology surgeons are experienced in the latest surgical techniques to treat all types and stages of bone cancer and soft tissue sarcomas. This often allows our team to avoid amputation and restore the function and appearance of the affected area. We also offer allografts, bone reconstruction, prosthetic implants and minimally invasive ablation therapy.

Gynecologic oncology robotic surgery

Robotic-assisted hysterectomy and other robotic and minimally invasive procedures help improve outcomes, decrease pain and shorten hospital stay. We also offer vaginal reconstruction and fertility preservation and treat cancers of the ovary, uterus, cervix, vulva and vagina. We evaluate patients through our women’s cancers and molecular tumor boards and are also active in clinical trials.

First in Michigan to perform complex urological procedures with single-port robot

The minimally invasive daVinci single-port (SP) robotic platform includes three multi-jointed, wristed surgical instruments and a steerable, 3D, high-definition camera. These are all placed through a single small incision. We’ve successfully performed SP robotic surgery for extraperitoneal and transvesical prostatectomy and partial nephrectomy.