Pancreatic Cancer Care

Expert Care for Pancreatic Tumors

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) experts offer you access to the latest treatment options for pancreatic cancer. We specialize in diagnosing and treating both cancerous and noncancerous pancreatic and other peri-ampullary conditions using the latest innovations in research and treatment with a multidisciplinary approach. At our Pancreatic Cancer Program, you and your family receive these and other important benefits:

• Access to the latest innovations in pancreatic cancer care
• True multidisciplinary expertise, where clinicians from multiple specialties convene to analyze and direct your individual case
• A clinical team committed to warmth and compassion

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

The pancreas is an abdominal organ located behind your stomach. Its job is to create enzymes (digestive juices) that help your body digest food, especially fats. This system includes glands and hormones that regulate important processes throughout your body, particularly relating to how sugar (or glucose) is processed.

The most common type of pancreatic cancer develops from the pancreatic exocrine cells. This is referred to as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and accounts for approximately 90% of pancreas cancers. There are multiple rarer subtypes of pancreatic carcinoma, including acinar cell, colloid and adenosquamous carcinomas.

The other main subtype of pancreatic cancer are pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or PNETs. These can be functional or non-functional. Functional PNETs can cause a variety of symptoms based on the specific endocrine cell subtype the tumor is derived from.

There are also a variety of pancreatic cysts and other benign and pre-malignant pancreatic lesions. The experts at the BIDMC Pancreatic Cancer Program can help you understand how each disease is managed differently.

Screening & Diagnostic Services

Radiologists use an array of imaging options to diagnose and stage pancreatic cancer, including pancreas-protocol CT scans and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Our radiologists are among the finest in the field in performing examinations and evaluating results. If you have certain personal or family risk factors, you may qualify to be screened for pancreatic cancer.

We work to schedule your appointment with us as quickly as possible — typically our team will reach out to you within 24 hours to coordinate your visit. Depending on your symptoms and needs, your doctor may order one or more of the following as part of your workup for pancreatic cancer:

• Blood tests
• Advanced endoscopy
• Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scan or MRI

Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic

Our pancreatic specialists come together twice weekly to discuss our patients with a pancreas diagnoses, with a weekly pancreas cancer-specific multidisciplinary tumor board and clinic. Team members collaborate to discuss your particular cancer and the best treatment options for you. Together, we agree on a recommendation for your pancreatic cancer care plan.

In our clinic, you’ll see all your necessary cancer specialists in one location — for your convenience and ease. You may meet with one or several doctors at the same visit. They also are available to each other for immediate consultation about your care.

There are many benefits to this approach:

• Enhances the accuracy of your diagnosis
• Promotes stage-based treatment to guide the most appropriate care based on the location and extent of your cancer
• Gives you the broadest range of treatment alternatives, including less invasive options when appropriate
• Customizes the care you receive
• Provides truly personalized service to answer your questions and address your concerns

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

We offer individualized treatment planning and access to the most advanced, innovative treatments for pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancers::

• Combination chemotherapy drugs achieve better outcomes for advanced pancreatic cancer. This can decrease tumor size by 30% more than using only one chemotherapy drug.
• Immunotherapy fights certain cancers by boosting the body’s immune system.  
• Targeted therapy like focused radiation (stereotactic body radiotherapy) pinpoints and targets cancer cells and can help preserve nearby healthy tissue. 

Surgical Expertise for Pancreatic Cancer

At BIDMC, we have assembled a team of nationally and internationally renowned pancreas specialists. We perform a high volume of surgical procedures, both open and minimally-invasive, to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancers and related disorders. This experience translates into high-quality care for you. BIDMC is a high-volume pancreatectomy center.

Whipple Procedure

During the Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy), your surgeon removes part of the pancreas, small intestine, bile duct and gallbladder. Your pancreatic cancer team may suggest the Whipple procedure if you have cancer in the head or uncinate part of your pancreas.

Distal Pancreatectomy & Splenectomy

During this procedure, your surgeon will remove the left side of your pancreas (distal portion). Your pancreatic cancer team may suggest this surgery for tumors in the body or tail of your pancreas. For pancreatic cancers, the spleen is also removed.

Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery

Surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to biopsy, stage and treat pancreatic tumors. We are skilled in state-of-the-art robotic surgery. BIDMC surgeons have performed robot-assisted pancreatic surgery since 2012, when we became the first New England hospital to offer this highly successful approach. Our surgeons will recommend a surgical approach specific to your cancer and needs.