The most common type of pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma. This tumor often forms in the head of the pancreas, but can begin in the tail. Patients typically notice yellowing skin (jaundice), fatigue, back pain and weight loss. Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Columbia should seek the best possible surgical treatment available. Dr. Dmitri Alden is a world-class pancreatic cancer surgeon serving Columbia from his state-of-the-art medical clinic in New York.

Patients traveling from Columbia for treatment of pancreatic cancer should know that scientific studies support seeking an oncological surgeon with plenty of experience. Dr. Alden is a NYC liver and pancreatic cancer specialist who heads a multidisciplinary team that performs many surgeries each year, far more than the 14 per year recommended by the experts as the mark of an experienced surgeon. Dr. Alden treats pancreatic cancer patients that travel from all over the world, including Columbia and other regions of Central and South America.

Dr. Alden leads a highly specialized team of liver and pancreas surgery specialists that provide concierge level care in NYC, working to provide every patient the best possible care and guidance for recovery. Contact our office and speak with our surgery coordinator for help with insurance, travel from Columbia, accommodations and more.

Pancreatic Cancer and Staging Specialist in NYC

The human body relies on the pancreas to produce insulin and digestive enzymes. This means the organ is directly connected to the bloodstream, intestines and digestive system. These influences can cause various forms of cancer that originate in different cells and form in the pancreas. Each form of cancer demands a different approach to treatment or surgery, and different outcomes are not uncommon.

• Tens of thousands of men and women die in North America each year from pancreatic cancer.
• The average age of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is 72.
• The overall 5-year survival rate from pancreatic cancer is 4.6%.
• Only 7% of cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the primary site.
• Approximately 52% of cases are diagnosed after the cancer has already metastasized (spread).

Dr. Alden and his team are experts at diagnosing and staging pancreatic cancers. This process relies on the size of the tumor, its relation to nearby lymph nodes and whether or not it has spread to other organs. The common TNM classification system (tumor, nodes, metastasis) used to stage pancreatic tumors is an imperfect tool that can ignore many complex factors that impact treatment decisions.

Staging pancreatic cancers requires attention to many complex factors. Dr. Alden relies on advanced diagnostic imaging and testing procedures to determine the precise state and condition of pancreatic cancerous tumors. Working with his multidisciplinary team, he contributes his wealth of experience to the many diagnostic findings to formulate the most effective treatment protocol for each patient.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment and Surgery for Patients from Columbia

Treatment for pancreatic cancer is based on many factors. Very often, chemotherapy is used to shrink any tumors prior to surgical intervention. Smaller tumors are more easily accessed and removed, and other elements of the cancer can be reduced as well, such as complications relating to nearby blood vessels. Even if the cancer has spread to other organs, multiple tumors can be removed surgically in some cases. However, different forms of cancer are best treated in specific ways that best attack their structure and keep them from spreading further.

All pancreatic cancers demand a multidisciplinary approach from a team of experienced specialists to effect treatment. Dr. Alden and his team have the necessary experience in diagnosing, staging and treating many forms of pancreatic cancer. Often, he can perform laparoscopic and robotic pancreas cancer surgery for faster recovery, less time in the hospital and fewer surgical risks.

Patients traveling from Columbia should contact our surgical coordinator at (212) 434-6216 or contact us online to learn more about pancreatic cancer surgery and/or pancreatic staging from world-class liver and pancreatic cancer surgeon Dr. Dmitri Alden.