Feel Confident With Expert Hepatobiliary Cancer Care
You’re ready to feel like yourself again. And we’re ready to get you there, using a combination of advanced therapies and personalized care delivered with compassion. With a team of nationally recognized hepatobiliary experts working just for you, you’ll have a clear path toward getting your pancreatic or liver cancer treated with a world of support at every step.
Where Cancer Expertise Meets Compassion
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Committed to Excellence
Our pancreatic and liver surgical oncology team provides outstanding clinical care and unwavering support for people with pancreatic, liver and biliary tumors. We uphold the highest quality and safety standards at every step of your cancer treatment.
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Tailored and Comprehensive Treatments
Our expert team treats the entire scope of pancreatic and liver tumors with an individualized, whole-health approach. Your care plan will be tailored to suit your specific needs, ensuring you feel whole during and after treatment.
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Whole-Person Support
Cancer affects more than your body, so our experts in our oncology, genetics, rehab and palliative care programs focus on the whole you. Our physicians, nurse navigators, nutritionists, social workers and psychologists will support your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
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Multidisciplinary Approach
You’ll have a whole team of experts at your side here. Our comprehensive clinical team includes sub-specialized surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists who all work together to care for patients with pancreatic and liver neoplasms.
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Tumor Board
Every liver and pancreas cancer diagnosis is reviewed by our Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. Our expert physicians come together to determine the best treatment plan for each individual patient, so that instead of receiving one opinion, you’ll benefit from the expertise of an entire team of providers.
Pancreatic and Liver Cancers and Conditions We Treat
A pancreatic or liver cancer diagnosis may include conditions like the following, all of which our oncologists are well-versed in treating. No matter what specific diagnosis you receive, you can trust you’ll be in the best hands here with our caring team of experts.
Explore Pancreatic and Liver Cancer Treatments
As you begin your treatment journey, it’s important to know that no two cancer diagnoses are the same, and your oncology team will personalize your course of treatment thoughtfully and strategically, prescribing individual therapies as needed. Depending on your unique diagnosis, your treatment plan may include some, none or a combination of the therapies below.
- Surgery
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If surgery is part of your treatment plan, rest assured that your health is in the hands of experienced oncology surgeons. As a recognized leader in cancer care, we’re helping patients heal through innovative surgical care. Your dedicated team of cancer specialists will review every detail of your medical history and recent tests to recommend the most effective treatment plan for you. Surgery may be the only treatment you need, or it can be used in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Options for Surgery
Our surgeons place a strong emphasis on treating tumors, both benign and malignant, with minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques for a smoother recovery. Our patient-centered philosophy expands beyond clinical excellence and treating the body to include the emotional, nutritional, spiritual and social well-being of you and your family. We take a multidisciplinary approach to care, providing you with access to a full range of leading-edge cancer treatments.
We treat pancreatic, liver and hepatobiliary tumors with the least invasive methods possible. Whatever procedure is part of your treatment plan, our team is here to guide you — from pre-op to post-op and beyond.
Types of oncology surgeries may include the following depending on your unique needs:
Tumor Resection
Through a tumor resection procedure, our surgeons can remove all or part of a cancerous or benign tumor and the surrounding tissue, if needed, to prevent it from spreading and help other treatments work more effectively.
Transplant
If your care team determines that a liver or pancreas transplant is your best next step, rest assured that you’ll be in the best hands here. Your providers will work closely with experts from our AdventHealth Transplant Institute to connect you with the care you need.
Histotripsy
Histotripsy is an incisionless procedure that uses high-intensity sound waves to destroy liver tumors for a faster recovery with less pain and no scarring. In this operation, a treatment head that sits inside a membrane containing specially treated water will sit on your abdomen, and your oncology surgeon will use a diagnostic ultrasound to see and target the liver tumors to destroy. The sound wave energy is then turned on and focused to a singular point, creating a “bubble cloud” that destroys only the tissue your surgeon has targeted.
- Radiation
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Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for pancreatic and liver cancers. At AdventHealth Cancer Institute, we do it with exceptional expertise, guidance and compassion. Using sophisticated radiation technology, we can target tumors from rectal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer and pancreatic cancer with amazing precision, easing your pain and leaving healthy tissue untouched. Depending on your diagnosis, your dedicated team may recommend radiation alone; however, in many cases, we combine it with surgery, chemotherapy and sometimes other treatment options.
How Radiation Therapy Works
Our oncology experts take an individualized approach to every patient’s treatment plan. Radiation therapy targets specific areas of the body, shrinking tumors and eliminating cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
When treating digestive tract cancer, radiation therapy is usually delivered in one of three ways:
- External radiation delivers radiation in a concentrated beam to keep nearby healthy tissue unaffected, often using imaging to guide the treatment.
- Internal radiation delivers concentrated doses of radiation guided by ultrasound, keeping healthy nearby tissue safer.
- Systemic radiation is a treatment that is delivered through swallowing or injecting, and then it travels through your bloodstream to target and shrink cancer cells.
Throughout your treatment, your nurses and radiology care team will keep you and your support system informed, comfortable and uplifted.
Different types of radiation therapy include the following and may be used according to your unique needs:
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy, or internal radiation therapy, allows a higher dose of radiation in a smaller area, which empowers our teams to directly target tumors — all in fewer sessions and with less radiation exposure to surrounding organs. During this treatment, a radioactive source is applied inside your body or near your tumor. Depending on your diagnosis, your team may recommend a high- or low-dose-rate application.
DoseRT
With our new FDA-approved DoseRT technology, Cherenkov imaging — a technique to visualize the path of radiation within a material — captures the emissions generated when radiation interacts with a patient’s body during treatment. This allows us to view the invisible light produced during radiation treatment in real-time, helping us to deliver safer, more accurate and precise treatment.
Yttrium-90
Yttrium-90 is a radioactive isotope (a chemical element that emits radiation) that's used to shrink, damage or eliminate cancer cells. As an internal radiation therapy, Yttrium-90 can treat some cancers that can't be treated with conventional surgery. It's also referred to as selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) or brachytherapy.
- Chemotherapy
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Nothing matters more to us than getting you well and back to the comforts of home. Depending on what type of cancer you have and how advanced it is, chemotherapy may play an essential role in successfully treating your cancer, including liver and pancreatic cancers. From the moment you arrive for your chemo treatment, your nurse will be there to greet and guide you through the process with expertise and compassion.
How Chemotherapy Works
Using a combination of specialized drugs, chemotherapy can destroy or slow down the growth of fast-growing cancer cells, wherever they are. Chemo can be administered intravenously, but it can also be delivered by injection or orally. At AdventHealth Cancer Institute, our oncology experts take an individualized approach to your chemotherapy treatment.
Chemotherapy can be used in three different ways to help treat cancer, including:
- Neoadjuvant treatment, when chemo is administered before surgery to shrink the tumor, makes it easier to remove and helps prevent the cancer cells from coming back.
- Adjuvant treatment involves chemo being administered after surgery to help remove any cancer that may be left (often, you may receive a combination of chemo and radiation therapy after surgery, called chemoradiation).
- Chemotherapy can also be used as your primary treatment option if surgery and/or radiation therapy aren’t the right course of treatment for you.
- Immunotherapy is training your body’s immune system to destroy harmful cells. It’s a new and effective strategy to treat many different cancers, including pancreatic and liver cancers. Your oncologist may prescribe immunotherapy medications during or after chemotherapy.
Depending on your type of cancer and unique needs, we’ll determine which treatments are best for you.
- Infusion Therapy
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Infusion Therapy With Hepatic Arterial Infusion Pump Technology
Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) allows medication to be delivered directly to the liver from inside the body. Learn more about how this innovative technology could support your cancer treatment below with answers to some of our patients’ frequently asked questions.
What is an implantable pump?
An implantable pump is a small drug-delivery system meant to be implanted during surgery, specifically for colorectal cancer patients whose cancer has metastasized to the liver. The pump holds medication that is continuously released while you are going about your daily activities. AdventHealth is one of just two hospitals currently offering this treatment.
How is the pump implanted?
The surgical procedure to implant the pump is usually performed under general anesthesia and normally takes two to three hours. If needed, any additional surgery may be performed at this time. If this is the case, your surgery may take longer. Your doctor or nurse will provide you with instructions for care of the implant site. Once the incision has healed, the site will no longer require any special care. As you recover from the surgery, you will be able to return to most of the activities you enjoyed before the surgery. However, you will be given some guidelines to follow.
How does the pump work?
The inside of the pump is divided into inner and outer chambers. The inner chamber contains medication to be infused. The outer chamber contains a propellant permanently sealed inside. The temperature of your body warms the propellant that exerts constant pressure on the bellows, causing the medication to flow out of the inner chamber, through a filter and flow restrictor and then slowly out the catheter. Refilling the pump with medication expands the bellows and starts the pump on the next cycle of drug infusion. The pump may be refilled as often as necessary for your therapy.
One-on-One, Ongoing Digestive Cancers Support
When you or someone you love is facing cancer, we put our medical knowledge and concerned hearts to work, supporting you with everything we’ve got. Count on our world-class physicians, surgeons, nurses, social workers and Nurse Navigators to guide your care with lifesaving diagnostic technology, proven cancer treatments and an unwavering commitment to your whole-person health.
Honored to Be a Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence
When you're facing pancreatic cancer, you deserve the peace of mind that you're getting the highest-quality care. We're honored to be nationally recognized for our pancreatic cancer care, focusing on multidisciplinary treatment, the best possible outcomes and improved quality of life for patients.
Find Hope and Support With Cancer Care Resources
Clinical Trials
Our researchers continuously discover new ways to prevent and treat cancer, giving you access to innovative treatments that aren't widely available.
Get a Second Opinion
It's always a good idea to get a second opinion. Our experts can serve as a fresh pair of eyes, bringing clarity and certainty to you and your family.
Patient Resources
From online resources that offer answers to support groups where you can find comfort and hope, we’re here to help you feel informed and encouraged.
Answering Your Questions About Pancreatic and Lung Cancers
The more you know about pancreatic and lung cancers, the more empowered you’ll be as you and your family take care of your health. We’re here to answer these frequently asked questions, and your care team will be there to answer any other questions you have — big or small — throughout your journey.
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Q:Question: What are the early signs and symptoms of pancreatic and liver cancers?
A:Answer:Early signs of pancreatic and liver cancers are often vague or not present. Warning signs include unexplained weight loss, abdominal or back pain, jaundice, dark urine, light-colored stools, fatigue and nausea.
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Q:Question: What are the causes of pancreatic and liver cancers, and who is most at risk?
A:Answer:Pancreatic and liver cancers are caused by chronic inflammation, lifestyle factors and genetics. Those most at risk are typically over age 55, smokers, diabetics and those with chronic liver disease.
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Q:Question: Can pancreatic and liver cancers be found early through screening?
A:Answer:Pancreatic and liver cancers are harder to detect early, with no standard screening for the general population. High-risk people can benefit from MRIs or specialized ultrasound for early detection, but most cases are found at advanced stages.
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Q:Question: How are pancreatic and lung cancers diagnosed?
A:Answer:Pancreatic and lung cancers are diagnosed with imaging tests (CT, MRI, PET scans) to locate tumors, followed by biopsies, such as endoscopic ultrasound or bronchoscopy, for tissue analysis.
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Q:Question: What are the treatment options for pancreatic and liver cancers?
A:Answer:Treatment options for pancreatic and liver cancers include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy, often used in combination.
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Q:Question: Is surgery an option for pancreatic and liver cancers?
A:Answer:Yes, surgery is a primary treatment option for pancreatic and liver cancers, offering the best chance for long-term management, but eligibility depends on the tumor's stage and location in the body.
Find Us Near You in Central Florida
Across the nation, each of our locations offering cancer treatment contributes to the strength of the AdventHealth Cancer Institute network. Explore your options for care close to home with the guidance of our dedicated team. We’ll help you find the right fit, so you’re in the best setting to get the care you need.