Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Jefferson Sets the Standard for Pancreatic Cancer Care

Jefferson Sets the Standard for Pancreatic Cancer Care

Patients benefit from extensive treatment options, experienced clinicians and a “patient-centric” approach to care delivery

For help in diagnosing and treating pancreatic and related diseases, patients from across the country turn to the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The Jefferson team offers innovative surgical, endoscopic, oncologic and other treatments that, in some cases, can cure pancreatic cancer – a disease that was once considered a “death sentence.” (Fast Facts about Pancreatic Cancer)

According to Charles J. Yeo, MD, the Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, patients choose Jefferson for several reasons: the high volume of pancreatic and related surgeries performed, a highly skilled and experienced group of gastroenterologists, experienced clinical staff, cutting-edge research and a “patient-centric” approach to care delivery.

Clinical studies have shown that outcomes are better for patients who undergo pancreatic and related surgeries in high-volume centers such as Jefferson, where, at any given time four or five patients with pancreas resections are recovering in the hospital. In fact, so far this year, Jefferson surgeons Drs. Yeo, Eugene P. Kennedy, MD, and Ernest L. Rosato, MD, have performed over 140 pancreatic resections, including over 100 pancreaticoduodenectomies (for treating tumors in the head of the pancreas) – more commonly referred to as “Whipple procedures” – and dozens of distal and central pancreatectomies (for tumors in the body and tail or neck of the pancreas, respectively.)

Whenever possible, Jefferson surgeons use an innovative procedure called a “mini-Whipple.” Unlike a “classic” Whipple procedure – in which the gallbladder, common bile duct, lower part of the stomach, all of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and the head of the pancreas are removed – this modified resection preserves the entire stomach, the pylorus (the sphincter between the stomach and the duodenum) and several centimeters of the upper duodenum.

As Dr. Yeo explains, “For patients, there are no oncologic downsides to the mini-Whipple, but there are plenty of upsides, including preservation of the entire stomach and pylorus, a shorter hospital stay and fewer complications. We target a post-operative stay of less than one week and achieve this goal with most patients.”

The Jefferson team also leverages the scientific research of Hwyda Arafat, MD, PhD, and Jonathan Brody, PhD . Dr. Arafat is investigating pancreatic cancer and the renin-angiotensis system involved in hypertension, as well as the possible use of antihypertensive medications already commercially available to treat pancreatic cancer. Dr. Brody’s work focuses on the complex molecular genetics of pancreatic cancer. Patients’ tumors are collected during surgery and studied in the laboratory, leading to a better understanding of each tumor’s specific genetics with the goal of developing individualized therapies.

In addition to surgeons and basic scientists, the team also includes nurse practitioners, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists and other clinicians who have worked with literally thousands of patients with pancreatic and related diseases. Dr. Yeo says their collective experience is invaluable in diagnosing and treating patients.

Charles J Yeo, MD

A patient-centric approach
Dr. Yeo is quick to note that the team’s patient-centric approach is another key reason for the growth of the practice.

“We’ve developed an efficient, patient-friendly approach to delivering care before, during and after the operation,” Dr. Yeo explains. “We strive to make the process as smooth and simple as possible.”

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a pancreatic or related disease, Dr. Yeo encourages you to call 1-800-JEFF-NOW to arrange a consultation. If you’re a potential candidate for a resection, your next step will be to send all of your existing records (including imaging studies) to Jefferson. The team will review them to ensure that the records are complete. If additional scans are needed, the team will work with you to get those scans (pending insurance approval).

Once the records are complete and insurance approval has been obtained, an in-person appointment will be scheduled with a surgeon. The surgeon will perform a full assessment to determine whether or not surgery is an appropriate option. If the patient is a candidate for surgery, the procedure will be scheduled and pre-op testing will be arranged.