The pancreatic cancer is found to be one of the fatal forms of gastrointestinal malignancy. But then fortunately selective group of patients do experience the benefits of a pancreatectomy surgical procedure when performed by skilled and experienced surgeons. In the recent years 5-10% decrease has been observed in the rate of mortality depending on how extensive the surgery was and the experience of the surgeon. At John Hopkins Medical Institution Baltimore a study revealed the death of 1.4% patient due to total pancreatectomy complications.
About the ailment
The total pancreatectomy procedure is very effective as pancreatic cancer treatment. Pancreas is an organ located close to stomach and almost about the size of the hand which is responsible for secreting insulin, enzymes and other hormones. The part closest to the small intestine (duodenum) is the thickest part of the pancreas called the head, while thinnest tapering part very close to the spleen is called the tail and the middle part is named the body.
Patients who need the surgery will have small tumors in the head of the pancreas and will suffer from jaundice. People undergoing a surgical removal of the tumor must be diagnosed with the problem early enough. They will show no evidence of the metastatic nature of cancer i.e. the spreading of the cancer. Depending upon the stage of the disease it shall be determined whether the pancreatectomy performed shall be total or distal.
In case of patients whose pancreas has undergone severe injury or trauma a partial pancreatectomy can be the solution. In this case the injury is suffered by the body and tail of the pancreas. Normal pancreatic tissue is also removed in such surgeries but there are hardly any side effects or minimal effect in the function of the pancreas like production of hormones, digestive enzymes and insulin.
In case of chronic pancreatitis the pancreatectomy is seldom performed. In this case the pancreas keeps getting inflamed which results in the damage of the organ. If left untreated it can lead to acute pancreatitis.
Pancreatic cancer prognosis reveals that larger the tumor, worse gets the chances of cure. But in rare cases it has been observed that even a tumor as large as 4-5 cm has been effectively removed. Technology and options of treatments have improved but still the pancreatic cancer is considered a very lethal ailment.
Causes of Pancreatic Cancer
The reasons behind the chronic pancreatitis are mainly because of alcohol abuse or presence of gall stones. Other causes include
- Genetic mutations
- Age
- Food habits and drug abuse
- Chronic Pancreatitis
- Long standing Diabetes mellitus problem
- Obesity
What are pancreatic cancer symptoms?
In case of cancerous tissues, they grow very rapidly in the organ without showing any symptoms till a condition is reached when the patient has actually reached a critical stage. After reaching the critical stage the patient can start showing various symptoms like
- Pain experienced in the upper abdomen
- Jaundice where skin and eyes start yellowing
- Appetite loss
- Dark Urine formation
- Nauseating feeling and vomiting
- Back pain experienced
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Stools turning paled colored
- Diarrhea
- Irritation felt in skin like itching
- Depression
- Back pain
- Weight loss experienced suddenly
- Symptoms of the digestive system very often dominate the pancreatic cancer symptoms since the organ is very close to the stomach.
What are my alternatives for total pancreatectomy?
Total pancreatectomy procedure as such ideally speaking has no such alternative except for the fact that the kind of pancreatectomy can be varied in terms of the extent to which the pancreas has suffered damage. A pancreas transplant can also be considered in rare cases.
Pancreatic cancer treatment options
For the treatment of pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis, there are quite a few treatment options:
What is the Whipple procedure?
It is a very demanding procedure and also known as pancreatoduodenectomy where a part of the pancreas, along with duodenum of the small intestine and the gallbladder is removed. Pancreas surgery usually aims at treating pancreatic cancer which is usually confined till the head of the pancreas. But in many cases it also aims at treating some of the tumors and abnormalities of the bile duct and small intestine. After the procedure the surgeon works to re attach the remaining portions of the digestive system to enable the patient to digest food normally and remove waste in a natural way from body.
What is a total pancreatectomy?
In a total pancreatectomy the total pancreas gets removed along with gall bladder, spleen, common bile duct and some portions of the stomach and small intestine.
What is distal pancreatectomy?
When there is a tumor in the bottom half of the pancreas like in the body or the tail, it must be removed with a distal pancreatectomy where this bottom half is removed surgically.
- Infection and bleeding
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Pancreatic fistula
- Diabetes due to reduced insulin production
- Digestive enzyme deficiency
- Blood clots and anesthesia-related risks
Would you like some help? We are available.
Get Help
VM Medical Park Samsun Hospital
Samsun, Turkey
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, VM Medical Park Samsun Hospital located in Samsun, Turkey has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- All the patient rooms are equipped with all the amenities like Nurse call system, computer access system and controllable patient bed and Blue Code Call systems; to provide a comfort zone to the patients
- 8 specially-equipped Operating Rooms (2 reserved for cardiovascular surgery)
- IVF Unit
- Dental Unit
- Technology advancement- Linear Accelerator and PET-CT, etc.
Avcilar Anadolu Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Avcilar Anadolu Hospital located in Istanbul, Turkey is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Three types of rooms are available: Standard room, Suite, Disabled room
- Emergency services for immediate care of patients
- Neonatal intensive care unit for preemie infants
- Presence of Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
- In-patient wards and outpatient clinics for a seamless treatment process
- Several fully equipped operation theatres
- An upgraded radiology department
- Exceptional Pathology department
- Well established delivery rooms
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation center
- Nutrition and Diet center
- Presence of a Biochemistry center
- Complete Health checkup facilities for all
AFRICAN FERTILITY CENTRE (AFC)
Casablanca, Morocco
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Anfa Fertility Center located in Casablanca, Morocco has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Healthcare professionals with expertise in their field
- High success rates in treating infertility
- Patients from world over frequent this clinic and not just from Morocco
- Well trained and experienced doctors
- Provide facilities like Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Flight booking, and Interpreter.
Carolina Medical Center
Warsaw, Poland
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Carolina Medical Center located in Warsaw, Poland has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Focus on innovative scientific research based treatments
- Multidisciplinary healthcare organisation
- Academic focus on training and education of healthcare workers as well as on therapeutic programmes.
- They are an undisputed segment of LUX MED Group whe are associated with Polish Olympics Committee. This enables them to take care of Polish athletes.
- The healthcare requirements of dancers of National Ballet, national team members associated with several sports teams are borne by Carolina Medical Center, Warsaw, Poland.
- Diagnostics and rehabilitation section of this medical center is top notch.
- It is also a preferred medical destination for international patients owing to the best of services provided by them to ease the experience of international medical tourists in every aspect.
- Online consultations and emergency services are also available for patients.
Centro Medico Teknon
Barcelona, Spain
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Centro Medico Teknon located in Barcelona, Spain has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- 60,000 square meters of area
- 211 wards
- International visitors program to manage the patient base
- Cardiovascular Institute and Oncology Institute as specialised centres
- Assisted Reproduction availaibility
- Checkup program
- Plastic & Reparative surgery capacities
Hospital Quironsalud Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Hospital Quironsalud Barcelona located in Barcelona, Spain has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- There are more than 50 healthcare specialties in the hospital.
- It has different kinds of rooms such as over 130 private rooms, 56 suits, and more than 150 consultation rooms.
- There are more than 14 operation theatres and 1 robotic surgery theatre is also present.
- Technologically advanced devices are present in the hospital such as 1 linear accelerator, 2 CAT and 3 MRI scanners.
- Accommodation, flight booking, transfers and interpreters are available.
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj
Delhi, India
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, a 400+ bed NABH-accredited facility under Balaji Medical and Diagnostic Research Centre, offers world-class care across 33+ specialties, including Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Kidney Transplant. With 116 ICU beds, 14 HDU beds, 11 modular OTs, and an NABL-accredited Max Lab, the hospital ensures advanced, quality-driven care. Staffed by 510+ expert doctors and 770+ nurses, it’s India’s first AACI-accredited super speciality hospital and North & West India’s first QAI-accredited Advanced Brain Stroke Centre. Max Patparganj is a regional leader in complex surgeries, blending cutting-edge technology with compassionate, patient-centric healthcare.
Farrer Park Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Farrer Park Hospital located in Connexion, Singapore has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- A medical centre is linked to the Farrer Park Hospital Complex, Connexion, Singapore
- The focus of the hospital is to bring together two essential elements: those of healthcare combined with hospitality.
- There is a building with 20 different stories which comprises Owen Link, hotel and spa.
- Personal attention and patient care focus is maintained with a system in place of listening, analysing, evaluating and then implementing a treatment plan.
- 121 bed capacity
- Technology and innovations help provide the best of medical and surgical treatment options.
- Professionally implemented international patient care systems
- Suites: Cardiovascular, day surgery, endoscopy, major surgery, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and inpatient suite
- Diagnostic imaging and intensive care unit
- 24 hour emergency clinic and pharmacy
- Facilities such as dialysis, nutrition services, rehab centre, and teaching clinic
The London Clinic
London, United Kingdom
We, The London Clinic family, take pride in our reputation as a multi-disciplined healthcare facility. With skilled nurses and expert consultants, our medical teams are always focused to deliver the best individualized medical care. More than 1,000 nursing, clinical, and support staff are currently working with us to give our patients an extensive range of treatments. We use cutting-edge technologies to ensure a comprehensive range of healthcare services. Not only that, in order to make your stay with us comfortable enough, we equip our patient bedrooms with:
- Electronic patient-controlled bed
- En-suite bathroom
- Air conditioning system
- Remote-controlled television and radio
- Telephone with direct dial facility
- Nurse call system
- Personal safe
- Wi-fi
Patients from all over the world fly to us to get their procedures done by our specialist doctors, which is why we also provide our patient's concierge services. Our concierge services include:
- Booking travel and hotel accommodation
- Arranging London tour
- Making theatre and restaurant reservation
The London Clinic has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hygiene and cleanliness. Our dedicated housekeeping team cleans every room every day between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm. They are also entitled to supply fresh towels every day and clean the rooms properly between patients.
We also have a day surgery unit based on the third floor at 20 Devonshire Place to make sure a hassle-free surgery as well as post-surgery care for our patients. Our cancer care unit at 22 Devonshire Place is also among our key services.
Burjeel Specialty Hospital, Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Burjeel Specialty Hospital is built on an area of 16,000 square meters. It is a 75-bedded hospital with 24-hours emergency services. It has a 24-hours Laboratory & a unique radiology department. Hospital tries to cover every need of patients and to help them in their need hour with all its available medical services.
The hospital constitutes many centers such as women’s health center, premium care surgery center, heart care center, Bariatric & weight loss clinic, and many others, in order to conduct proper medical care for the patients.
Need Some Advice From Our Experts?
Request a Call Back Now!
Our team of healthcare experts would be happy to assist you
+99Process Involved for Pancreatectomy
- Before surgery, the patient undergoes blood tests and imaging studies (e.g., CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans) to determine the size, location, and extent of pancreatic disease and to inform the surgical approach.
- The nutritionist assesses the patient’s nutrition, weight, and digestive function to optimise strength prior to surgery and minimise post-surgical complications.
- The anesthesiologist assesses whether the patient is fit for general anesthesia, and reviews their medical history, medications, and heart and lung function to ensure safety during surgery.
- The surgical approach to removing the pancreas will depend on the extent of the disease and will involve either an open, laparoscopic, or robotic approach.
- After surgery, patients will be monitored closely in the ICU for vital signs, pain levels, blood glucose levels, and gastrointestinal function to detect complications early.
- Rehabilitation after pancreatotomy includes returning to eating gradually, managing enzymes and insulin if necessary, receiving physical rehabilitation, and attending regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing and disease control.
- Pancreatic cancer
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Pancreatic cysts and precancerous lesions
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Pancreatic trauma
- Whipple procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy)
- Distal pancreatectomy
- Total pancreatectomy
- Laparoscopic pancreatectomy
- Robotic-assisted pancreatectomy
- Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, tumors, or cysts
- Individuals with chronic pancreatitis unresponsive to medical treatment
- Patients with precancerous pancreatic lesions
- Patients medically fit for major abdominal surgery
- No extensive cancer spread to distant organs
- Surgical staples
- Absorbable sutures
- Temporary drainage tubes
- Pancreatic stents (if required)
- Bile duct reconstruction
- Gastric or intestinal reconstruction
- Lymph node dissection
- Feeding tube placement
- Gallbladder removal
- Removal of cancerous or diseased pancreatic tissue
- Improved survival in pancreatic cancer
- Relief from chronic pain in pancreatitis
- Prevention of disease progression
- Improved quality of life
- Complete or partial removal of diseased pancreas
- Improved digestion with enzyme supplementation
- Better blood sugar control with proper management
- Reduced cancer recurrence risk
- Long-term disease control
- Fill out the inquiry form: Fill out the form to provide us with the relevant information about your condition.
- Consult with Our Healthcare Expert:One of our qualified specialists will contact you for a consultation
- Receive a Detailed Treatment Plan:After examining your situation, we will provide you with a detailed treatment plan that includes expert views and cost breakdowns for various choices.
- Choose your preferred option: Choose the treatment option that suits you the best.
