Care may include lifestyle changes, medical treatment, specialist review or a procedure, depending on the diagnosis, associated conditions and individual goals. The options below are associated with this condition in the GAF Healthcare directory.
The Whipple procedure, or pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex major surgery used to remove tumors located in the head of the pancreas, bile duct, or duodenum, most commonly for pancreatic cancer.
Why it may be consideredIt involves removing part of the pancreas, the duodenum, gallbladder, and a portion of the bile duct, followed by reconstruction of the digestive tract. It is considered the primary curative option for resectable pancreatic head cancers and select periampullary tumors. India offers this procedure at leading oncology and GI surgery centers with experienced HPB surgical teams at a fraction of Western costs.
Key distinction: Most Common
Pancreatic Cancer Resection is a major surgical procedure to remove cancerous tumors from the pancreas along with surrounding affected tissue, aiming to eliminate the disease or halt its spread.
Why it may be consideredDepending on the tumor's location within the pancreas (head, body, or tail), surgeons choose between the Whipple procedure, distal pancreatectomy, or total pancreatectomy. This surgery is typically recommended after imaging confirms the tumor is localized and resectable, and it offers the best chance for long-term survival when combined with chemotherapy.
Key distinction: Most Common
The Whipple procedure, or pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex major surgery used to remove tumors located in the head of the pancreas, bile duct, or duodenum, most commonly for pancreatic cancer.
Why it may be consideredIt involves removing part of the pancreas, the duodenum, gallbladder, and a portion of the bile duct, followed by reconstruction of the digestive tract. It is considered the primary curative option for resectable pancreatic head cancers and select periampullary tumors. India offers this procedure at leading oncology and GI surgery centers with experienced HPB surgical teams at a fraction of Western costs.
Key distinction: Most Common
Distal pancreatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the body and tail of the pancreas, most commonly performed for tumors, cysts, or chronic pancreatitis localized to this region.
Why it may be consideredDepending on the case, the spleen may be preserved or removed along with the pancreatic tissue. It is a major abdominal surgery requiring specialized gastrointestinal surgical expertise and post-operative monitoring for pancreatic function.
Key distinction: Complex Cases
Pancreatic cancer surgery involves removing the tumor along with part or all of the pancreas and surrounding tissue, aiming to eliminate cancerous cells and prevent spread.
Why it may be consideredThe specific technique depends on the tumor's location, size, and stage, and is often combined with chemotherapy or radiation. It is considered the only potentially curative treatment for eligible patients with localized pancreatic cancer.
Key distinction: Most Common
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is a highly precise, non-invasive radiation technique that delivers very high doses of focused radiation to small, well-defined tumors in the lung, liver, or pancreas over just a few sessions.
Why it may be consideredIt uses advanced imaging and immobilization to spare surrounding healthy tissue while achieving tumor control comparable to surgery in select cases. SBRT is commonly used for early-stage or inoperable tumors, oligometastatic disease, or as a boost after other therapies.
Key distinction: Most Common
The Whipple Procedure, also called pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex surgery that removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine (duodenum), gallbladder, and part of the bile duct, followed by reconstruction of the digestive tract.
Why it may be consideredIt is most commonly performed to treat pancreatic head cancer, ampullary or bile duct tumors, and select benign pancreatic conditions. India offers this surgery through highly experienced HPB (hepato-pancreato-biliary) surgical teams at a fraction of Western costs, with outcomes comparable to leading global centers.
Key distinction: Most Common
