If you’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Saudi Arabia, you should find the best surgeon available for your treatment. Leading scientific research reveals that surgeons performing over 14 pancreatic oncological surgeries each year have better patient outcomes. Dr. Dmitri Alden is a NYC liver and pancreatic cancer surgery specialist who performs more surgeries than most other oncological surgeons in practice. He routinely treats pancreatic cancer patients traveling from Saudi Arabia and countries throughout the world at his New York clinic.

Dr. Alden spearheads a highly specialized liver and pancreas surgery team of multidisciplinary professionals who work tirelessly to give cancer patients the best possible shot at a better future. Here’s some startling facts about pancreatic cancer:

• Tens of thousands of men and women die each year in the US 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 pancreas.
• About 52% of cases are diagnosed after the cancer has already spread.

More About Pancreatic Cancer and Staging

Adenocarcinoma is by far the most common type of pancreatic cancer, typically presenting as a tumor in the head of the pancreas, although it can originate in the tail. Patients mostly visit their doctor with complaints of fatigue, back pain, weight loss and yellowing skin. This skin discoloration is jaundice caused by a growing tumor blocking the bile duct feeding the duodenum.

The pancreas is an important organ that produces digestive enzymes and insulin. Because of these connections to other vital systems, the different malignancies that can form in the pancreas can stem from different cells. Tumors can be benign, pre-malignant or malignant and grow in different locations of the pancreas. Each form of specific cancer requires a different type of treatment or surgery, and each can have very different outcomes.

Staging pancreatic cancers is a complex process that involves a tumor’s size, relation to the lymph nodes and whether or not it has spread into other organs. This TNM classification system (tumor, nodes, metastasis) is an imperfect tool that can ignore many complex factors that impact on treatment, so Dr. Alden only uses it as one of many tools for staging and treating complex pancreatic cancers. Only after extensive diagnostic imaging and advanced testing will Dr. Alden and his team determine the precise stage of your pancreatic cancer and how best to approach treatment.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment and Surgery

Treatment for pancreatic cancer is based on many factors, but the accepted protocol usually combines chemotherapy and surgery. Chemotherapy shrinks the tumor and makes surgical resection easier. Pancreatic tumors, and those in other organs, can be removed surgically; however, different cancers require a different method of treatment to eradicate. If the cancer has spread, this presents a more complex problem and other therapies may be necessary.

Dr. Alden and his team have a wide body of experience diagnosing and staging many forms of pancreatic cancer, determining treatment strategies and performing laparoscopic and robotic pancreas cancer surgery. As a best-in-class NYC pancreatic surgeon, Dr. Alden and his team will determine if you are a candidate for surgery. Numerous medical and social factors all impact this decision-making process. Be sure you reveal any current and past medical conditions, including any past surgeries. Some medical conditions, such as heart disease, prior heart attacks, high blood pressure or diabetes, may affect your recovery and influence any planned treatments.

Patients traveling from Saudi Arabia should contact Dr. Alden’s clinic and speak with our surgical coordinator about travel and accommodations, insurance concerns and more. Call (212) 434-6216 or contact us online to learn more about pancreatic cancer surgery and/or pancreatic staging from a world-class liver and pancreatic cancer surgeon in NYC.