Pancreatic-biliary cancer

The pancreatic-biliary cancer service is part of the hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) unit at Hammersmith Hospital, which provides holistic care for patients with liver, pancreatic and/or biliary disorders in west London, the UK and worldwide. The hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) unit at Hammersmith Hospital has a long-standing commitment to providing services to patients with pancreatic, liver and/or biliary disorders. More than 800 new patients with either benign or malignant diseases are referred to our team each year.

We provide state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment to patients with pancreatic and liver cancer, and have a world-renowned reputation for the management of chronic pancreatitis.

Conditions and treatments

Our services include:

• Diagnostic and interventional radiology
• Endoscopy
• Surgery
• Nuclear medicine
• Oncology
• Palliative care

The treatment for pancreatic cancer varies depending on where the cancer is, whether there is any spread and the age and general health of the patient. The types of treatment include:

• Surgery: There are basically two types of surgical procedures commonly performed at Hammersmith Hospital for pancreatic cancer. One, known as pylorus preserving proximal pancreoduodenectomy (PPPP), involves the removal of part of the pancreas, the duodenum and bile duct. An alternative surgery known as Whipple’s procedure involves the removal of part of the pancreas, the duodenum, bile duct and stomach.
• Endoscopic stenting: A flexible tube is passed through the mouth, down the gullet into the stomach and then through the opening that leads to the pancreas and gall bladder. A thin hollow tube called a stent can then be placed in the tube leaving the liver (bile duct) to relieve any blockages caused by the cancer.
• Radiotherapy/chemotherapy: These are occasionally helpful in cancer of the pancreas and in a few patients may play a role in treatment.