When you’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may already feel too ill to go about daily tasks. And you may feel fearful about what happens next. We understand this uncertainty. And we know you’ll want at team of expert and experienced providers on your side through this journey.
At Cleveland Clinic London our consultants specialise in rapid diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer — a disease that starts in the pancreas, an organ that produces enzymes and hormones. Pancreatic cancer can affect all aspects of digestion, particularly the liver and bile drainage system.
We offer a dedicated pancreatic cancer service and can provide you with all aspects of care, from evaluation to treatment to recovery. And some peace of mind.
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment at Cleveland Clinic London: Why Choose Us?
A team of expert hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeons guides your care. You’ll have a number of gold-standard treatments available to you — including the Whipple procedure — that are not widely available. We have many options available to you, even if you’re not well enough for surgery or have been told you don’t have other any other alternatives.
Highlights of our service include:
- Comprehensive approach: We offer all the pancreatic cancer tests and treatments you need in one service. Whether it’s a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure, surgery or additional therapies, trusted consultants deliver your care. Get more information about pancreatic cancer services.
- Specialised team: Your care will come from a wide range of specialists, all working as a team. In addition to HPB surgeons, you’ll benefit from the expertise of oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, gastroenterologists and liver specialists. Working together, we’ll provide an accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plan. Our cancer nurse specialist also coordinates appointments and keeps your care moving forward.
- Whole-person approach: Recovering from pancreatic cancer can take months, but you won’t be doing it alone. After surgery, you be carefully monitored 24/7 for a few days in our state-of-the-art intensive care unit so we can make sure you’re recovering well. We also tailor medical therapies, like temporary insulin injections and supplemental enzymes, to support your digestive system as it heals.
- Quick access: We know that timely treatment leads to the best care, which is why we see new patients promptly. This approach brings quick relief for symptoms such as jaundice and certain digestive issues, including pain, nausea and vomiting. We usually can start treatment early, reducing the spread of cancer to other organs. Make an appointment by calling +44 20 3423 7500.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer We Treat
Pancreatic cancers we specialise in include:
- Adenocarcinoma: This is the most common type and develops in the glands of the pancreas.
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: These are rare tumours, affecting cells that produce hormones in your digestive system.
Pancreatic Cancer Services
Your treatment plan depends on the size, location and type of pancreatic cancer. Our offerings include:
Endoscopic procedures
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which your provider inserts a thin tube with a camera and instruments at the tip through your mouth and past the stomach to the pancreas. This way we can access the pancreas without incisions.
Endoscopic procedures for pancreatic cancer include:
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): We can carefully examine your pancreas by taking a tissue sample (biopsy) to confirm your diagnosis. ERCP also treats blocked pancreatic ducts.
- Endoscopic ultrasound examines the pancreas with a tiny ultrasound scanner at the tip of the endoscope. Consultants can also use a needle to take a biopsy.
Biliary drainage
Jaundice is a common pancreatic cancer symptom that occurs when the bile ducts become blocked. If you are not eligible for ERCP, interventional radiologists perform a different biliary drainage procedure. After making a small incision, they use real-time imaging to advance instruments through a blood vessel to access and drain build-ups in the bile ducts.
Pancreatic cancer surgery
We perform sophisticated procedures to remove tumours:
- Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy): This procedure is for cancer affecting the right side of the pancreas. HPB surgeons remove the right side (head) of the pancreas, first part of the small intestine, gallbladder and part of the bile duct.
- Distal pancreatectomy: Your provider removes the left side (tail) of the pancreas in this surgery. In some cases, it’s necessary to take out the entire spleen (splenectomy) because it’s close to this end of the pancreas.
Additional pancreatic cancer treatments
You may need chemotherapy or clinical (radiation) oncology, either before or after surgery. We use chemo to shrink large tumours, improving your eligibility for surgery. We sometimes recommend both chemotherapy and radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery. Radiotherapy also offers an option to patients with inoperable tumours, including ones involving essential blood vessels.
These services are available through our partnership with The London Clinic. Their oncologists attend our team meetings, making it easier to coordinate seamless care for you. We work together to determine the appropriate treatments for your needs and the order in which you receive them.
Second Opinions and Virtual Consultations
Patients from all over the world look to our consultants for second opinions. Consultants review previous test results, confirm the diagnosis and provide recommendations. These services are available regardless of whether you seek treatment with us. We often provide second opinions through virtual visits, so you don’t have to travel to get the answers you need.
Cancer Care Self-Pay Services
Contact us or call +44 20 3423 7500 for more information about pancreatic cancer services.
We make it easier to access expert care in the U.K. Read more about payment information, including options for self-pay and private medical insurance. If you are coming to us from another country, learn more about coordination available through Global Patient Services.
