When 34-year-old Carla Viteri Salas became pregnant with her second child, she expected the usual joys and challenges of pregnancy. Instead, she was diagnosed with one of the rarest cancers in the world.
Routine urine tests during Carla’s pregnancy indicated an infection, despite no symptoms. Several courses of antibiotics didn’t help.
“Even though I didn’t feel anything, I knew God was showing me something I needed to address,” the Newark resident recalls.
Her doctors ordered further imaging and a cystoscopy, which revealed a tumor in her bladder. A biopsy confirmed cancer, which likely started in the urachus, a small tube-like structure near the bladder. Urachal cancer affects only about 4 in 10 million people each year. Needless to say, the diagnosis was shocking.
“There is no history of cancer in my family, so this whole thing was even more surprising and difficult to process,” Carla said.
In June 2025, Carla underwent a robotic-assisted radical cystectomy, which removed her bladder and nearby tissue, and created a new way for her body to store and pass urine. Surgeons also removed her left ovary, fallopian tubes, appendix, and other tissue to ensure all visible cancer was gone. After debulking surgery, she began intravenous chemotherapy with medical oncologist Elan Diamond, MD.
Because urachal cancer can spread across the lining of the abdomen, Dr. Diamond referred Carla to Sharyn N. Lewin, MD, director of gynecologic oncology at Holy Name, because of Dr. Lewin’s expertise and experience with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). During this specialized treatment, heated chemotherapy is delivered directly into the abdominal cavity, targeting microscopic cancer cells that may remain after visible tumors are removed. The goal is to reduce the chance of recurrence while limiting side effects.
“Clinical research and case reports have shown that patient outcomes improve when HIPEC and debulking surgery are used to treat rare cancers, including urachal cancer,” Dr. Lewin explained.
Dr. Lewin performed the HIPEC procedure laparoscopically, using very small incisions and specialized instruments rather than a more invasive approach. This was the first laparoscopic HIPEC procedure performed at Holy Name.
Throughout her journey, Carla leaned on her faith: “From the first moment, I felt Dr. Lewin was not just another doctor on my path, but an angel sent by God to take care of me,” she said. “God took care of me, gave me strength, and placed wonderful people on my path. Dr. Lewin was not only an excellent professional but a beautiful human being. Her words were always hopeful and encouraging, which is what I needed to hear.”
Carla is now cancer-free. She continues follow-up care and received additional cycles of chemotherapy to ensure the cancer doesn’t return. She’s enjoying time with her two children—an 8-year-old daughter and the 11-month-old son who was partially responsible for her cancer diagnosis.
“They are my engine, my reason, and my strength to keep moving forward,” she explains.
“Persistent symptoms deserve attention,” Dr. Lewin explains. “If common treatments don’t help, ask for more tests and a second opinion. Multidisciplinary teams that combine surgery, chemotherapy, and specialized treatments like HIPEC can offer strong options for rare cancers.”
Learn more about Holy Name’s cancer care and advanced treatments like HIPEC by visiting holyname.org/cancercare.
