Tulane surgeon launches specialized colorectal cancer treatment at East Jefferson General Hospital
Tulane University School of Medicine is transforming cancer care in Louisiana.
Dr. Kristen Limbach, a Tulane surgical oncologist working with the LCMC Rare Cancer Program, successfully performed the first hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) pump placement at East Jefferson General Hospital. The highly specialized procedure, which delivers high-dose chemotherapy directly to the liver, marks the launch of a new HAI pump program designed to improve outcomes for patients with liver-dominant cancers—such as metastatic colorectal cancer.
This achievement is especially significant for New Orleans and the Gulf South, where colorectal cancer rates—and related mortality—are among the highest in the nation. Louisiana ranks near the top in late-stage colorectal cancer diagnoses, and more than 50% of colorectal cancer patients will develop liver metastases during the course of their disease. Historically, access to hepatic arterial infusion pump therapy has been limited to a handful of centers nationwide, forcing Southern patients to travel long distances for care.
By launching this program locally, Tulane Surgery is closing that gap—bringing cutting-edge treatment to patients who have long been underserved, particularly in communities facing economic healthcare disparities. This initiative further reflects the department’s commitment to innovation and expanding access to high-level cancer care across the region.
Dr. Limbach was joined in the operating room by Dr. Kevin Sullivan, a surgical oncologist with LSU Health New Orleans, who is establishing a similar program at University Medical Center. Their partnership reflects a united commitment across institutions to advancing cancer care in Louisiana.
