Pancreatic cancers usually start to give symptoms in a later stage of the disease which is why the prognosis in many cases is not favourable. However, if the tumor is only located in the pancreas and not spread there is a chance that surgical resection of the tumor can result in curation.

Causes

Alcohol, smoking, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, diabetes, a family history of cancer.

Symptoms

Weight loss, nausea/ vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, icterus (skin getting a more yellow colour).

Diagnostics

Blood tests (Ca-19.9), CT-scan, (endoscopy) ERCP with biopsy, endo-ultrasound with biopsy, MRCP (MRI).

Treatment

In case that diagnostic tests did not reveal any signs of tumor spread a complete surgical resection of the tumor provides the best chance on curation from the pancreatic cancer. This surgery will either be a resection of the pancreatic head (Whipple procedure) or a resection of the pancreatic tail depending on where the tumor is located, which surgeries can in many cases be done by a laparoscopic approach.

Moreover, the surgery can in some cases be combined with chemo-, immune- or radiotherapy depending on the tumor-board decision.

Risks of the surgery

Hematoma/bleeding, pancreatic or biliary leakage or fistula, stenosis of the anastomosis, wound infection, wound dehiscence, local recurrence of the tumor, delayed gastric emptying, thrombosis/ Pulmonary embolism, delayed recovery, mortality (<2%).

Why chose Professor Guido Mannaerts MD PhD

He is a Netherlands board certified oncological surgeon with experience in HPB surgery.
As being an Adjunct Professor at the UAE University and a broad research background Professor Guido is aiming for state of the art surgical care using the latest techniques.
His pleasant, honest, patient-centred care and being committed to achieve the best results for you makes you feel being treated like a family expert

Frequently asked questions

• How long does the pancreatic surgery take? The surgery usually takes several hours, and depends of the specific patient, extend of the disease and the type of surgery.
• How long does it take to recover after pancreatic surgery? The recovery usually takes weeks to even months. Patients usually stay one or more weeks in the hospital after the surgery.
• What can I expect after pancreatic surgery? After the surgery you can expect pain, nausea and vomiting. It is important to follow the postoperative instructions of the surgeon to guarantee successful recovery. This includes mobilisation (sitting in the chair and walking) to prevent postoperative thrombosis.
• Can I eat normal after pancreatic surgery? In the beginning we will start with liquid diet which according to the instructions of the surgeon will be extended towards a normal diet.
• Why should I chose for a laparoscopic pancreatic surgery? A laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is done through small incisions, but also has a higher precision as the vision is magnified 20 times, which leads to more accurate dissection, less blood loss, fast recovery and, therefore, a shorter hospital stay.