Pancreatic and Bile Duct Cancer Treatment in Bangalore, India
Cancers of the pancreas and bile ducts are challenging to treat as they are rarely identified early on when they are most treatable. This is due to the fact that they frequently do not present symptoms until they have metastases to other organs.
To treat these types of cancer, you need complex treatment plans and a well-experienced oncologist. Dr. Sandeep Nayak, an internationally recognized cancer specialist in Bangalore, India, has the required expertise and in-depth knowledge to provide comprehensive pancreatic and bile duct cancer treatment in Bangalore, India.
He makes sure that each patient has the optimum treatment plan and gets the best care possible. In his career spanning more than 15 years, he has successfully treated thousands of patients and given them a new lease of life.
Dr. Sandeep Nayak is a pioneer of many revolutionary surgical approaches and is considered one of the best oncologist in India. He has extensive experience and training in minimally invasive cancer surgery, including laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotics.
This page provides detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and pancreatic and bile duct cancer treatment in Bangalore, India.
Pancreatic Cancer
Overview about the pancreas
The pancreas is a pear-shaped organ that is about 6 inches long. It is located behind the lower section of your stomach. It produces hormones that manage blood sugar and release enzymes that help digest and absorb nutrients.
The pancreas can be affected by various tumors, both malignant and noncancerous.
The treatment for pancreatic cancer is determined by cancer’s stage and includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer symptoms mostly do not appear until the disease has progressed. They may include the following:
- Unexplained weight loss and lack of appetite
- Abdominal pain that extends to the back
- Dark-colored urine
- Light-colored stools
- Jaundice
- Itchy skin
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting
- Blood clots
- Uncontrolled diabetes or newly diagnosed diabetes
If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your doctor, as a variety of other disorders can cause these symptoms, and your doctor may check for them as well as pancreatic cancer.
What are the causes of pancreatic cancer?
The cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. Some aspects, such as smoking and having specific hereditary gene mutations, have been identified as potentially increasing the risk of this type of cancer.
Pancreatic cancer develops when the DNA of cells in your pancreas mutates. These mutations cause the cells to multiply out of control and live long after normal cells would have died.
These multiplying cells have the potential to create a tumor. If left untreated, pancreatic cancer cells can spread to blood vessels, surrounding organs, and distant parts of the body.
Most pancreatic cancer starts in the cells that line the pancreatic ducts and are referred to as pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Islet cell tumors, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and pancreatic endocrine cancer develop in the neuroendocrine cells or hormone-producing cells.
The following factors may raise your risk of pancreatic cancer:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
- Smoking
- Advanced age
- Family history of Lynch syndrome, FAMMM syndrome, and BRCA2 gene mutation
- Being exposed to certain chemicals
- Family history of pancreatic cancer
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
Early detection raises the chances of a successful recovery. That’s why, if you detect any unusual symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, especially if you have any risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Sandeep Nayak, one of the best oncologist in Bangalore, will examine your symptoms and medical history to diagnose. He may ask you to undergo one or more tests to look for pancreatic cancer, like:
- MRI or CT scan
- Blood test to check for tumor marker CA 19-9
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Biopsy of the pancreas
Once the diagnosis for pancreatic cancer is confirmed, Dr. Sandeep Nayak will assign a stage to your pancreatic cancer based on the results of staging tests, which helps him plan the appropriate treatments that are most likely to help you.
Roman numerals ranging from 0 to IV are used to denote the stages of pancreatic cancer. Stage I indicates the malignancy is restricted to the pancreas, whereas stage IV suggests that cancer has progressed to other places.
Pancreatic cancer treatment in Bangalore, India
During your pancreatic cancer treatment in Bangalore, India, the main focus of the oncologist will be to eliminate malignant cells and prevent cancer from spreading.
Dr. Sandeep Nayak, a prominent cancer specialist in Bangalore, will determine the optimal treatment option based on the location and stage of cancer, overall health, and personal preferences.
Surgery:
Surgery for a tumor in the head of the pancreas
Image Source: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pancreatic-cancer/whipple-procedure
If your cancer is in the head of your pancreas, you might want to consider a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy).
The Whipple procedure involves removing the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), a portion of the bile duct, and nearby lymph nodes in a technically complex procedure.
The surgeon may also remove a portion of the stomach and colon in some cases. To allow you to digest food, your surgeon reconnects the remaining sections of your pancreas, stomach, and intestines.
Dr. Sandeep Nayak was one of the first surgical oncologist in India to perform a robotic Whipple procedure in the country. Undergoing this procedure using laparoscopic and robotic methods enhances recovery.
Surgery for a tumor in the body and tail of the pancreas
The surgeon will perform a distal pancreatectomy to remove the pancreas’ body and tail (left side). He may also have to remove your spleen.
Surgery to remove the whole pancreas
In some cases, total pancreatectomy is required, wherein the surgeon will remove your entire pancreas. It is possible to live a relatively normal life without a pancreas, but you will need enzyme and insulin replacement for the rest of your life.
Radiation therapy
It uses high-energy beams of X-rays and protons to eliminate cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
The oncologist will use anticancer medications to kill cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying in the future.
Immunotherapy
Different methods are utilized to activate your immune system to attack cancer.
Targeted therapy
The oncologist will use antibodies and medications to specifically target cancer cells in this treatment. Targeted therapy does not harm other cells, unlike radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Dr. Sandeep Nayak, one of the best oncologist in Bangalore, India, believes in providing customized treatments to his patients for better outcomes. He may suggest combining various treatments like chemotherapy prior to surgery in some cases.
Treatment choices for advanced-stage pancreatic cancer may focus on pain reduction and keeping symptoms manageable.
Bile Duct Cancer
Overview of bile duct
Bile duct cancer, commonly known as cholangiocarcinoma, begins in the bile duct. It is a rare cancer that’s generally fatal.
It’s helpful to understand the bile ducts and what they do in order to comprehend this cancer.
The bile ducts are a network of tiny tubes from the liver to the small intestine. Their primary function is to let bile from the liver and gallbladder flow into the small intestine, where it aids in the digestion of fats in the food.
Dr. Sandeep Nayak is a leading surgical oncologist in India who is exceptionally experienced in providing the most advanced bile duct cancer treatment in Bangalore, India. He is well-versed in open, laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic surgeries.
Types of Bile Duct Cancer
Oncologists diagnose bile duct cancer according to where it begins:
Extrahepatic (outside your liver) – This type of cancer is more common and is easier to treat. It can develop in one of the two places.
- Perihilar cancer occurs in the hilum area, which is the junction of the left and right bile ducts that forms the common hepatic duct.
- Distal cancer develops in the distal portion of your pancreas, where your common bile duct passes through.
Intrahepatic (inside your liver) – This type accounts for 5% to 10% of all bile duct cancer.
What are the symptoms of bile duct cancer?
The symptoms include:
- Weakness
- Pain in the abdomen and sides
- Weight loss and lack of appetite
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stools
- Itching
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
What are the causes of bile duct cancer?
The exact cause of bile duct cancer is unknown. According to research, several factors can increase your chances of having it, such as long-term inflammation caused by disorders like:
- Bile duct stones
- Liver fluke infection
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Choledochal cysts
- Reflux
- Diabetes
- Cirrhosis
- Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- Viral hepatitis
- Obesity
How is bile duct cancer diagnosed?
Dr. Sandeep Nayak, one of the best oncologist in Bangalore, India, will perform a physical examination. He will inquire about your overall health, liver disease, family history of cancer, and your habits, such as drinking and smoking. He will also examine your stomach for tumors, fluid build-up, and discomfort.
Doctor may ask you to undergo a few tests from the ones given below:
- Blood tests to check for tumor markers and liver functioning
- MRI or CT scan
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Endoscopy
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
- Cholangioscopy
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
- Biopsy
- Laparoscopy
Bile duct cancer treatment in Bangalore, India
The location and size of your tumor, overall health, and whether it has metastasized will all influence your treatment.
Surgery
Surgical treatment is the only way to cure cancer, especially if it is detected early and has not progressed beyond the liver or bile ducts.
If the tumor is still contained within the bile ducts, Dr. Sandeep Nayak will only remove your ducts.
Suppose cancer has gone beyond the ducts into your liver, then the surgical oncologist in India may have to remove a part or all of your liver. You will require a liver transplant if your complete liver has to be removed.
Dr. Sandeep Nayak will use the Whipple procedure if your cancer has spread to adjacent organs. During this surgery, he will remove the bile ducts, pancreas, gallbladder, a part of your stomach, and intestines.
Even if your cancer is incurable, you may be able to have surgery to clear your bile ducts and alleviate some of your symptoms.
Generally, the cancer specialist in Bangalore, India, either implants a tube or develops a bypass to keep the duct open. It may aid in the treatment of your jaundice. He may conduct a surgical procedure to clear a blocked part of the intestine.
Following your operation, you may require chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
Why choose Dr. Sandeep Nayak for pancreatic and bile duct cancer treatment in Bangalore, India?
- Through innovative and revolutionary surgical procedures, Dr. Sandeep Nayak strives hard to increase survival rates of pancreatic and bile duct cancer.
- He and his team of experienced cancer specialists in Bangalore work together to provide a multidisciplinary approach to better treatment prospects and outcomes.
- Dr. Sandeep Nayak, one of the best oncologist in India, does not just offer the latest cutting-edge treatments and techniques but pioneers them.
- With world-class expertise and care, he and his team will manage every step of your pancreatic and bile duct cancer treatment in Bangalore, India.
