Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Program
Pancreatic Cancer Program at Methodist Dallas Medical Center
Nationally recognized, patient focused, life-giving options for patients with pancreatic cancer
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, there is hope and there are options for pancreatic cancer treatment at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.
Methodist Dallas is one of the nation’s highest volume, highest quality treatment locations, caring for more than 100 pancreatic cancer patients each year and performing approximately 120 pancreatic surgeries, including 60 Whipple procedures.
Certified by The Joint Commission for Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreatic Cancer, and Pancreatitis
Methodist Dallas Medical Center is the
first hospital in the nation awarded Gold Seal certification by The Joint Commission for pancreatic
surgery and pancreatitis, and the
first hospital in Texas awarded certification for pancreatic cancer. To earn this distinction,
the Methodist Pancreas Program met strict criteria, including demonstrating
a track record of positive outcomes to heal patients and help them lead
a better quality of life after pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Robotic Whipple Procedure with the da Vinci® Surgical System
Methodist Dallas Medical Center was among the first hospitals in the country to offer advanced minimally invasive, fully robotic Whipple surgery, or pancreaticoduodenectomy.
The Whipple procedure – a common treatment for pancreatic cancer – involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, part of the stomach, and small intestine. When performed with the aid of a robot, patients benefit from five small incisions rather than one large incision. This means less pain and faster healing, which enables patients to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatment more quickly.
In addition to the robotic Whipple and traditional Whipple procedures, Methodist Dallas also offers:
A National Epicenter for Innovative, Progressive Care of Pancreatic Cancer
Methodist Dallas has been selected as a General Surgery Epicenter by Intuitive Surgical, the maker of the da Vinci Surgical System. In February 2015, Methodist Dallas hosted its first physician to observe robotically-assisted hepatobiliary surgery under the hospital’s Epicenter General Surgery designation. The hospital, a recognized leader in liver and pancreatic surgical care, is an elite training center for physicians looking to advance their robotic-surgery capabilities. Methodist Dallas is classified as a General Surgery Epicenter, and the focus of the robotic-training program will be in complex hepatobiliary surgeries including pancreatic cancer. This is the first hepatobiliary-focused general surgery robotic epicenter designated by Intuitive Surgical.
Methodist Dallas is one of only a few epicenters worldwide skilled on complex robotic-assisted hepatobiliary procedures. Alejandro Mejia, MD, FACS, executive medical director of organ transplantation at The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas, leads the epicenter program at Methodist Dallas.
The epicenter designation recognizes Methodist Dallas’ quality outcomes, compassionate care, and leadership in advanced treatment options for liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other diseases of the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. The epicenter draws surgeons from across the country to learn about these advanced treatments from our experts.
Advanced Options for Inoperable or Hard-to-Reach Pancreatic Tumors
For patients with inoperable or difficult-to-reach tumors, including tumors located near critical structures and major blood vessels, Methodist Dallas employs state-of-the art irreversible electroporation, called Nanoknife®, to destroy cancerous cells. Nanoknife® uses electrical energy to ablate tumors instead of extreme heat or cold, which could damage normal adjacent tissues.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
The Pancreatic Cancer and Surgery Program benefits from a multidisciplinary team approach. This serves to connect all the healthcare providers involved in a patient’s care. Nurse navigators follow patients throughout treatment to facilitate communication and guide them through the complex healthcare system.
Learn more about pancreatic cancer and surgery options at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.
Contact the Pancreatic Cancer Program at Methodist Dallas
For more information about pancreatic cancer treatment options and pancreatic cancer resources at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, call (214) 933-6601
Information contained on these pages has been gathered from independent sources and is for informational use only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice and information provided by your health care provider. Any decision you make regarding your health care options should be made after consulting a qualified physician.
Sources:
American Cancer Society
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Staywell Health Library