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PANCREAS SURGERY
Chief: Dr Giacomo Ruffo
Specialist: Dr Letizia Boninsegna
ABOUT US
The Pancreas Surgery is planned within a complete pathway which prepares and accompanies patient already before operation.
The diagnosis is completed by an ultrasound-guided or ecoendoscopic (EUS) biopsy with planned admission under Day Hospital.
In case of surgical treatment, the pre-admission is planned, providing for not only routine preoperative tests, but also physiatric assessment for a greater postoperative recovery, dietary, and possibly diabetological, education.
WHERE
CONTACTS
- Switchboard: (+39) 045.6013111
- Ward Secretariat: Tel. (+39) 045.6013493
Telephone information: from Monday to Friday 8.00am-3.00pm
e-mail: chirurgia.generale@sacrocuore.it
fax: (+39) 045.6013338 - NET/Pancreas clinic: (+39) 045.6013548
Pancreas cancer
The diagnosis of pancreas cancer raises fears and questions: what should I do? how is it treated?
Not all pancreas cancers are the same and prognosis changes depending on type of cancer, if it has already affected other organs and by many other factors.
Most of pancreatic tumors are adenocarcinomas. But there are other types of tumors, less common and less known, as neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and cystic tumors. Every type of tumor has a different prognosis.
The symptoms can be generic – as inappetence, asthenia or weight loss – but sometimes can be specific, as appearance of icterus, diabetes or worsening of diabetes already existing for years.
The diagnosis is made by patient’s examination, collection of his/her clinical history and radiologic tests. It is completed by an ultrasound-guided or ecoendoscopic (EUS) biopsy with planned admission under Day Hospital.
The treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on disease stage and provides for surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or combination of these three therapies. In case of surgical treatment, the pre-admission is planned, providing for not only routine preoperative tests, but also physiatric assessment for a greater postoperative recovery, dietary, and possibly diabetological, education.
The care strategy is multidisciplinary, that is the patient is undertaken since diagnosis by specialists staff.
Three things to know on Diabetes
- The Diabetes in itself is not a risk for pancreas cancer. However, we must kept in mind that appearance of diabetes without reason or worsening of disease already known for a long time, can be symptoms or warnings of pancreas problem. In this case a control is indicated, also an abdominal ultrasonography aimed at pancreas.
- The control of body weight helps. Keeping target weight not only reduces risk of diabetes, but also reduces risk of disease in patient with pancreas cancer “in therapy” (surgical and/or oncologic).
- Some therapies and their side effects may modify the glycemia. It should be remembered that some side symptoms of oncologic therapy,as vomit and dehydration, may modify glicemic values. Even therapy with steroids (cortisone) may modify the control of glycemia. In this case is better to pay attention to diet: reduce carbohydrates in nutrition and avoid “comfort” food (sugar-rich) can help control glycemic rise.
DIABETOLOGY SERVICE
The Diabetology Service is located at ground floor of Sacro Cuore Hospital – Entrance E (former Sampling Center)
CONTACTS
- Switchboard: (+39) 045.6013111
- Secretariat: (+39) 045.6013715
From Monday to Friday 8.30am-12.30pm
Fax: (+39) 045.6013308
e-mail: segreteria.diabetologia@sacrocuore.it
Oncology and genetic counseling
The oncologist follows patient in most of diagnostic-therapeutic pathway and follow-up.
The oncologic treatment may be exclusive to patients for whom is not indicated surgery, or may precede or follow surgical treatment in operable patients. In these cases the close collaboration with surgeon allows the correct planning of times and therapeutic choices.
The oncologic therapy most of the time is the chosen treatment among patients showing progression or recurrence of disease over time.
The proper management of therapy and side effects by oncologist allows not only a successful treatment but also a good quality of life for patient.
BRCA mutation research
In recent years even the genetic research has played an important role.
About 4-7% of patients with pancreas cancer have a mutation of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. This mutation reduces ability of cancer cells to repair DNA. Therefore some antitumor drugs have effects, by increasing damage to DNA or reducing reparation, so leading cancer cell to death. The genetic counseling, when indicated by oncologist, can help choosing the best treatment for patient.
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY UNIT
The Medical Oncology Unit is located at fifth floor of Don Calabria building
CONTACTS
- Switchboard: (+39) 045.6013111
- Secretariat: (+39) 045.6013472
From Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.30pm
email: segr.oncologia@sacrocuore.it
Fax: (+39) 045.6013411
Radiotherapy
The radiotherapy is a local treatment and can be associated, in different times, to chemotherapy and surgery. The IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria has also a high precision radiotherapy for pancreas, the “Elekta Unity”.
ADVANCED RADIATION ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT
The Advanced Radiation Oncology Department is located at first floor of Sacro Cuore building – Entrance H
CONTACTS
- Switchboard: (+39) 045.6013111
- Secretariat (information and booking): (+39) 045.6014800
from Monday to Friday 9.00am-3.00pm
fax: (+39) 045.6014801
radioterapia@sacrocuore.it
Psychological support
The patients and their relatives can be followed by specialists of Clinical Psychology Service during any phase of pathway to understand and better face the disease.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY SERVICE
The Clinical Psychology Service is located at first floor of Don Calabria building
CONTACTS
- Switchboard: (+39) 045.6013111
- Secretariat: (+39) 045.6013048– information
From Monday to Friday 10.00am-12.00pm
Email: psicologia@sacrocuore.it - Examination booking
Protection of oncologic patient
The diagnosis of pancreas cancer involves great changes in patient’s life. The therapies to face, possible surgical or oncologic treatment, affect everyday life and whole family sphere. It is important that patient and his/her relatives have a guidance in care pathway and legal protection. Click here to download the guide
SOCIAL WORKER
Dr Francesca Martinelli
francesca.martinelli@sacrocuore.it