Recently, a Pakistan soldier flew to Landmark Medical Center, in Woonsocket, for specialized surgical care unavailable to him in Islamabad. The patient, a colonel in the Pakistan military action against the Taliban, was diagnosed at a Pakistan military hospital with a rare malignant mesothelioma that permeated his entire abdominal cavity.

Although his physicians had access to systemic chemotherapy, the patient did not have access to the only effective operative therapy, which consists of total removal of the tumor combined with heated chemotherapy perfusion of the abdominal cavity by a heart-lung machine.

This technique is available at centers in Europe and the United States, but not in Pakistan. The patient’s family contacted relatives in New York, who spoke with Dr. Ahmed Nadeem, director of medical oncology at Landmark, who reviewed treatment options and discussed them with the patient and his family, who agreed to the procedure.

The reduced procedure cost (out of pocket) was negotiated between the patient’s family and Landmark Medical Center. The patient had the procedure done with removal of greater than 95 percent of the tumor.

The patient tolerated his operation, had a relatively uneventful recovery and was discharged back to his thankful family. His care exemplified the hope that many around world have in the U.S. health-care system.

The patient and his family were most thankful that he was able to come to the United States, receive the therapy needed, and return to his native Pakistan thanks to assistance from his family and the numerous resources here at Landmark.

HAROLD J.

WANEBO, M.D.

Woonsocket

The writer is chief of surgical oncology at Landmark Medical Center.