Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology

If you need diagnostic testing or screening for liver, pancreas or hepatobiliary cancer, our expert, compassionate team uses advanced technology to ensure you get accurate, timely results. Newly diagnosed patients with pancreas/liver or other complex gastrointestinal cancers are seen within 48 hours of first point of contact and appropriate workup/treatment will be initiated.

If you want a second opinion consultation, our team can review screening or diagnostic test results from another facility and recommend further action if it’s needed.

We offer:

• Advanced imaging including MRI, CT and PET scans and X-rays to view organs, bones, tissues and cells inside your body.
• Angiography, an X-ray that is taken after dye or contrast medium is injected into one of your arteries to show an outline of your blood vessels.
• Biopsy, a procedure to remove a small portion of tissue for further testing. May be used in combination with ultrasound or MRI.
• Blood tests to check your blood for certain properties and characteristics that could indicate you have cancer.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combines endoscopy and sound waves to improve the visibility of your pancreas and bile ducts and allow your doctor to remove the tissue needed for biopsy.
• Endoscopic ultrasound, uses a special probe and high-energy sound waves to diagnose, stage and treat liver, pancreatic or hepatobiliary cancer.
• Liver function tests, blood tests that indicate how well your liver is working.
• 3D assessment of pathology based on CT exams and possibly treatment planning

Our medical oncologists develop a treatment plan focused on your individual needs. If you need infusion therapies, our modern and comfortable infusion suites are staffed by nurses certified in caring for the needs of cancer patients.

We offer:

• Chemotherapy, works by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells. It can be used used to treat a variety of cancers, depending on the type, if it has spread and where and any other health issues you have.
• Hormone therapy, blocks the production or effects of hormones that can stimulate cancer and help increase its growth.
• Immunotherapy, a form of biological therapy that uses substances made from living organisms to help your immune system fight cancer.
• Targeted therapy, focuses on the changes in cancer cells that enable them to grow, divide and spread.

We offer the most advanced radiation therapy treatment options available today, including:

• Accelerated (Hypofractionated) Radiation Therapy, you can receive a higher dose of radiation delivered over a shorter period.
• Brachytherapy, involves the temporary or permanent implantation of radioactive substances to kill cancer cells. Can potentially reduce the length of treatment.
• Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), treatment that uses advanced imaging technology like MRI or CT scans to safely and accurately deliver radiation precisely where it is needed.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Radiation of various intensities is shaped to the contours of your tumor from different angles. This treatment destroys tumor tissues while sparing normal tissues as much as possible.

The oncology surgeons are well versed in the full range of surgical techniques, open and minimally invasive, used to treat liver, pancreas or hepatobiliary cancer.

We offer:

• Minimally invasive robot-assisted procedures.
• Palliative surgical treatments to alleviate your symptoms and increase your quality of life if your cancer is inoperable.
• Whipple surgery to remove portions of your pancreas, small intestine, gallbladder, stomach and lymph nodes.

Our experts use the latest in technology, the da Vinci surgical robot, to treat many forms of liver, pancreas and hepatobiliary cancer. We have multiple da Vinci surgical robots in several convenient locations, which makes us one of the top three largest robotic surgery programs in the New York Metropolitan area.

The da Vinci robotic system allows our surgeons to reach more areas of your body with greater precision than was possible before. The surgical system helps us provide cancer treatment that can be less expensive with fewer side effects and reduced recovery time than other alternatives.

If you’re having surgery, we’ll help guide you every step of the way — from pre-op to post-op, and beyond. The most important things you can do to help ensure a safe experience is to get as healthy as you can, and follow the instructions provided by your care team.

This is especially true when it comes to what you eat and drink just before surgery. Generally, we ask that you:

• Do not eat anything after midnight the day of your surgery.
• Drink only 12 ounces (a cup and a half) of water from midnight up to two hours before your surgery time.
• Do not drink anything, including water, two hours before your surgery.

We offer the following services to help with any cancer side effects or pain you experience:

• Cancer rehabilitation includes a wide range of physical, occupational and other therapies provided by a multidisciplinary team with extensive knowledge in the various effects of cancer and treatment.
• Hospice care for end-of-life comfort and relief.
• Integrative services, like yoga, wellness activities and massage.
• Palliative care and pain management to offer relief from cancer symptoms and improve the quality of your daily life.
• Genetic testing and counseling services can help you understand what, if any, risks you or your family may have in developing cancer. Our trained genetic counselors and physicians provide testing, education and services that will help you manage risk and be as healthy as possible.

We provide emotional and practical support for you and your loved ones to help ease your journey with cancer. Our team is your partner throughout the process, from screening and diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

We offer:

• Cancer rehabilitation, including a wide range of physical, occupational and other therapies provided by a multidisciplinary team with extensive knowledge in post-cancer treatments and needs.
• Nutritional counseling related to your unique cancer and nutrition needs. Our team of registered dietitian nutritionists and certified specialists in oncology nutrition work with you and your care team to help you feel better and stay stronger.
• Social work services including a whole team of masters-prepared social workers with specialty training in counseling and oncology. They offer assistance with issues such as transportation, home health care, medication and financial concerns.
• Support groups can provide help and healing and a sense of community along your journey. We offer support groups for caregivers and patients that are led by oncology nurses and social workers.
• Genetic testing and counseling services can help you understand what, if any, risks you or your family may have in developing cancer. Our trained genetic counselors and physicians provide testing, education and services that will help you manage risk and be as healthy as possible.

Every cancer therapy today came about through the use of clinical trials and research. We participate in hundreds of clinical trials every year. These important studies explore the safety and usefulness of newly-developing treatments and therapies, leading to better patient outcomes and improved quality of life.