Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Pancreatic Cancer

Cross Border Care empowering the patients with knowledge and hope
Pancreatic cancer is a daunting disease and requires specialized care and treatment. For patients who are diagnosed with this cancer, accessing evidence-based treatment as per international standards and support is important for their journey towards better health and improved quality of life.
At Cross Border Care, we aim to provide valuable information, guidance, and assistance to empower patients in navigating their journey and enhancing their overall well-being.

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins as abnormal growth of cells in the pancreas. Early-stage pancreatic cancers do not show in the imaging, and for this reason, many people do not receive the diagnosis until the cancer spreads.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer

● Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of pancreatic cancer.
● Pancreatic tumors or neuroendocrine tumors are the less common types.

What are the causes?

The pancreatic cancer causes are:

● Changes in DNA
● Family history of cancer
● Long-standing diabetes
● Chronic pancreatitis
● Smoking
● Age of over 60 years
● A diet high in red and processed meat
● Obesity

These people are more likely to suffer from pancreatic cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:

● Pain in abdomen
● Weight loss
● Jaundice
● Loss of appetite
● Nausea
● Changes in stool
● Swelling in pancreas
● Diabetes

Diagnosis and Tests

● CT Scans/ MRI
● Endoscopic Ultrasound
● Blood chemistry test
● PET Scan
● Biopsy etc.

Types of Pancreatic Tumors

● Resectable tumors that can be removed via surgery
● Borderline resectable
● Locally advanced, when surgical removal becomes unsafe
● Metastatic when cancer has spread to distant areas

Pancreatic Cancer Stages and Treatment options available in India

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Options in India

There are several treatment options available for the treatment of pancreatic cancer in India. At Cross Border Care, we will help you choose the best treatment option, depending on your cancer stage.

Your treatment will depend on the following:

● The exact location of the tumor
● The stage of the tumor
● Your overall health
● If the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas

Staging Laparoscopy: Laparoscopy is a pancreatic cancer surgery option, and is first performed to determine the extent to which cancer has spread and to decide whether or not it can be resected.

Whipple Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer: It is also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy. In this, the surgeon will remove the head of the pancreas as well as the body of the pancreas. Nearby structures like part of the small intestine, part of the bile duct, gallbladder, lymph nodes, and part of the stomach are also removed. The remaining bile duct and pancreas are attached to the small intestine. The end pieces of the small intestine are then reattached so that the food can pass via the gut.

Whipple Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer is done in top hospitals in India like Indraprastha

Apollo and Fortis Hospital via several techniques:

Open surgery: The surgeon will make an incision in the belly to reach the pancreas.

Laparoscopic Surgery: It is a minimally invasive surgery in which the surgeon will make minor cuts in the belly to insert tools and a camera. To know the cost of laparoscopic Whipples surgery in India, contact Cross Border Care today!!!

Robotic Whipples Surgery In India: Robotic surgery is another minimally invasive surgery in which the surgical tools are connected to a robot directed by the surgeon using hand controls.

Cross Border Care will help you get the best Whipple’s surgery in India.

Distal Pancreatectomy: In this operation, the best doctors for pancreatic cancer in India remove only the tail of the pancreas. Doctors in India use this surgical procedure if cancer is found in both the tail and the body of the pancreas.

Total Pancreatectomy: This operation will remove the entire pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, small intestine, and spleen. It is a surgical option if cancer has spread, but it still can be removed.

Bypass Surgery: This surgery is done to relieve the symptoms if the cancer has spread too far.

Biliary Stent Placement: Sometimes, cancer blocks the bile duct. This surgery relieves the blocked bile duct.

Biliary Bypass Surgery is another surgical option to relieve a blocked bile duct. This procedure reroutes the bile flow from the common bile duct to the small intestine, bypassing the pancreas.
Cross Border Care’s medical consultant, Dr Nadeem Khan, will help you decide on the best surgical approach to treat your pancreatic cancer based on discussions with the top doctors in India. To know more about the cost of Whipples Surgery in India, please contact him now!! He will provide you with the best medical advice.

Ablation Treatments

● Radiofrequency ablation uses high-frequency radio waves to destroy the tumor cells.
● Microwave thermotherapy uses microwaves to destroy the tumor cells.
● Cryosurgery destroys tumors by freezing them with a metal probe. Very cold gasses are used to freeze the cancer.

Embolization Treatments

● Arterial Embolization is done by inserting a small catheter into an artery through a small cut into the inner thigh and threading it up to the hepatic artery that feeds the tumor. With blocked blood flow, the tumor will not multiply.

● Chemoembolization is embolization combined with chemotherapy.

● Radioembolization is embolization combined with radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy

Intense radiation is directed towards the cancer to kill the fast-growing cancer cells.

● It can be given after the surgery ( adjuvant ) to lower the chances of cancer coming back.
● To treat resectable tumors, chemotherapy is given in combination with radiation therapy.
● Radiation and chemo are the main treatment options for those whose cancer cannot be treated via surgery.
● It is also used to treat advanced-stage cancers.
Different types of radiation therapies given in the best hospitals for pancreatic cancer in India are:
● External beam radiation therapy
● Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
● Image-guided radiation therapy
● Stereostatic Radiosurgery
● Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy

● Chemo can be given before the surgery to shrink the tumor. It is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
● It can also be used after the surgery to kill the cancer cells left behind. It is called adjuvant chemotherapy.
● It can also be used to relieve the symptoms of advanced-stage cancer.
Targeted Therapy: This pancreatic cancer treatment option in India will use medicines to target the specific chemicals present in cancer cells. By targeting these chemicals, the cancer cells will die. It is used for advanced-stage stomach cancer.
Immunotherapy is another pancreatic cancer treatment in which the immune system starts killing cancer cells. It is also used to treat advanced-stage cancer.

Palliative Care

If you are dealing with advanced-stage pancreatic cancer, Cross Border Care can help you get the best palliative care in the top hospitals of India. The best doctors for pancreatic cancer treatment in India will work with you and your family to give you an extra layer of Support to make you feel better at the time of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Questions to ask your doctor: A guide by Cross Border Care

● What type of cancer do I have?
● Has my cancer spread beyond the pancreas?
● Is my tumor resectable?
● What other tests will I need?
● Will insurance cover my treatment cost?

About treatment plan

● What are my treatment options available?
● What is the goal of treatment?
● Which is the most suitable treatment to treat my cancer stage?
● Should I get a second opinion?
● What are the side effects of each treatment?
● Will the treatment affect my daily activities?
● What is the surgery cost of pancreatic cancer in India?

During the Treatment

● How do we know if the treatment is working?
● Is there anything that can be done to manage the side effects?
● Do I need to change my eating food habits?
● Can I do exercise during the treatment?
● Can you suggest any mental health professional to deal with depression?

After the Treatment

● How often do I need follow-up after the treatment?
● Do I need a special diet after the surgery?
● How much exercise do I need to do?
● What if my cancer comes back?

How can you prevent pancreatic cancer?

● Screening for people who are at high risk of cancer
● Genetic testing for cancer risk
● Stop smoking
● Maintain a healthy weight
● Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
● Reduce your intake of processed meat

Best Hospitals and Doctors Offering Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in India

To know the surgery cost of pancreatic cancer in India, please visit our cost page.

Cross Border Care and Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in India

Cross Border Care specializes in medical treatment for national and international patients seeking healthcare services in India. We can assist you with the following:

Medical Consultation: We can help you connect with the most experienced oncologists and exceptional doctors in India who specialize in treating pancreatic cancer.

Treatment Planning: We will help you develop a personalized treatment plan. This will involve coordinating appointments with doctors, arranging diagnostic tests, and organizing consultations with medical teams.

Hospital Selection: Cross Border Care will help you choose reputable hospitals with India’s most advanced cancer treatment facilities.

Logistic Support: we will help you with all travel arrangements, accommodation, transportation, and visa arrangements.

Cost Waiver: We will also help you get maximum discounts on pancreatic cancer treatment in Delhi. 

Continued Support: We understand how exhausting cancer treatment can be. That is why we provide you with continued support during your stay in India.

So, if you are planning your pancreatic cancer treatment in India or Delhi, fill out the form below, and we will help you choose the best doctor and hospital providing state-of-the-art technology.

We will help you to find the best Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Doctors in India.