Pancreas Surgery

PANCREAS SURGERY

Chief: Dr Giacomo Ruffo
Specialist: Dr Letizia Boninsegna

ABOUT US

The Pancreas Surgery is planned within a complete course 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

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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

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. 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

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Oncology and genetic counseling

The oncologist follows patient in most of diagnostic-therapeutic course 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

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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 ONCOLOGIC RADIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT

The Advanced Oncologic Radiotherapy 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

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Psychological support

The patients and their relatives can be followed by specialists of Clinical Psychology Service during any phase of course 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

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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 course and legal protection. Click here to download the guide

SOCIAL WORKER

Dr Francesca Martinelli
francesca.martinelli@sacrocuore.it