Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in New Jersey
Advanced Surgery for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer
Surgery offers the best chance of containing pancreatic cancer. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery is a complex area of surgery that requires an experienced team. We routinely treat liver, pancreas and hepatobiliary cancers. This means you’ll find:- Our specially trained surgeons are well versed in the full range of robotic, minimally invasive and open techniques used to treat liver, pancreas or hepatobiliary cancer.
- We carefully review each patient’s case, and based on evidence and experience, make recommendations for treatment.
- We utilize innovative surgical approaches and technologies in our commitment to superior outcomes for patients.
Robotic Surgery
Our expert surgeons use the latest da Vinci surgical robot to remove liver, pancreas and hepatobiliary cancer with great precision, fewer side effects and reduced recovery time.
Other Surgical Approaches
- Open surgery. If you are not a candidate for robotic surgery, our surgeons are skilled at performing open surgical resection to remove tumors of the pancreas, liver and surrounding organs.
- Palliative surgery. Even if your cancer is inoperable, sometimes we can perform surgery to relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.
- Whipple surgery. The Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) is the primary surgery for pancreatic cancer. Surgeons remove the head of the pancreas, and parts of the small intestine, gallbladder, stomach and lymph nodes.
Minimally Invasive Tumor Removal
Interventional radiologists use minimally invasive approaches, including ablation (killing tumor tissue with intense heat) and embolization (cutting off blood supply to the tumor). These techniques may be the primary treatment, or used to reduce the size of tumors before surgery.
Treatments Available for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer
Your team includes oncologists who develop a treatment plan for your specific type, grade and stage of cancer. Our goal is to effectively target your hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancer while reducing side effects.
Chemotherapy
Works by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells. We choose chemotherapy combinations based on the latest research and your exact type of tumor, if it has spread and your overall health.
Hormone Therapy
Blocks the production or effects of hormones that can stimulate cancer growth.
Immunotherapy
Uses biological substances to boost your immune system to find and destroy cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy
We analyze your cancer to identify genetic mutations and the molecular signals driving its growth, so we can disable cancer cells from growing, dividing and spreading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Whipple procedure, and when is it used?
The Whipple procedure (also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy) is the primary surgery for pancreatic cancer. It is a complex operation where surgeons remove the head of the pancreas, as well as parts of the small intestine, gallbladder, stomach, and nearby lymph nodes.
What non-surgical treatments are available for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer?
Your oncology team may recommend several non-surgical treatments based on your specific cancer. These include:
- Chemotherapy: To slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy: Analyzes your cancer's genetic mutations to disable the signals that help it grow and spread.
- Immunotherapy: Uses substances to boost your own immune system to find and destroy cancer cells.
- Hormone Therapy: Blocks hormones that may be stimulating cancer growth.
Are there minimally invasive options for treating these cancers?
Yes, the center specializes in minimally invasive approaches to reduce recovery time and side effects. These include:
- Robotic Surgery: Using the da Vinci surgical robot, surgeons can remove tumors with great precision.
- Minimally Invasive Tumor Removal: Interventional radiologists use techniques like ablation (using intense heat to destroy tumor tissue) and embolization (cutting off the tumor's blood supply.)
