Innovative Treatment Options Tailored to the Patient
When it comes to neuroendocrine tumors and other gastrointestinal conditions,
expert evaluation is vital to
accurately diagnose and determine the best course of treatment for the individual patient.
At Hoag, our
multidisciplinary team of experts includes academic-level hepatobiliary/pancreatic surgeons, medical oncologists,
hepatologists and radiologists who work together to thoroughly review
and determine the best treatment option suited to each individual patient.
This emphasis on a collaborative, comprehensive approach to patient-centered
care is why Hoag patient outcomes rank are among the nation’s best.
Treatment Options for Functioning and Non-Functioning Neuroendocrine Tumors
The treatment approach is the same for both functioning and non-functioning
neuroendocrine tumors. NETs are often viewed as a chronic disease when
more than one lesion is discovered during the diagnosis phase. NETs are
often debulked such that greater than 90 percent of the disease is removed.
Because these tumors are so slow growing, often several years pass before
another debulking surgery is required.
Hoag’s approach is to remove these tumors via a minimally invasive
laparoscopic procedure, as often as possible. An open procedure is usually
necessary in patients who have metastases, very large tumors (greater
than 10 centimeters), or if there is invasion of the major blood vessels.
Some of the advanced surgical options for removal of non-functioning islet
cell tumors of the pancreas include:
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Enucleation pf PNET is surgical procedure that carefully removes islet cell tumors without
removing any pancreatic tissue. Hoag-USC surgeons have developed a laparoscopic
technique for enucleation of pancreatic islet cell tumors, which provides
a number of benefits to patients including a faster recovery and return
to daily activities.
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Laparoscopic/Robotic-Assisted Pancreatectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where the body and tail of
the pancreas is removed along with the spleen. However, Hoag-USC Surgical
Center for Digestive Diseases routinely provides
laparoscopic spleen-preserving pancreatectomy for patients with cystic tumors, neuroendocrine tumors and adenocarcinoma
of the body and tail of the pancreas.
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Central Pancreatectomy may be recommended for patients who have low-grade malignant or benign
tumors in the neck of the pancreas. Removal of tumors in this area often
requires removing a large portion of the pancreas. However, the experts
at Hoag-USC Surgical Center for Digestive Diseases offer a highly specialized
surgical procedure that removes only the tumorous portion of the neck
of the pancreas, thereby preserving the head, body and tail of the pancreas.
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The Whipple Operation involves resection (removal) of the head of the pancreas, a portion of
the bile duct, the gallbladder and the duodenum. Occasionally, a portion
of the stomach may also be removed. The Whipple Operation is often used
to treat patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, although it may
be recommended for some patients with benign disorders such as chronic
pancreatitis and benign tumors of the head of the pancreas. Laparoscopic
Whipple is offered to patients with small confined tumors.
Expert Care You Can Trust!
Hoag continues to lead the way in complex GI care, providing access to
a highly specialized surgical team that works collaboratively with Hoag-affiliated
thoracic surgeons, gastroenterologists and medical oncology specialists
to provide academic-level care. Hoag’s committed to accurate diagnosis,
combined with progressive therapeutic options enables Hoag patients to
achieve some of the highest clinical outcomes in the nation.
To schedule a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, or a second-opinion
consultation with a Hoag gastroesophageal expert, call us at: 888-566-9712.