Pancreas and Bile Duct Surgery Program

The Pancreas and Bile Duct Surgery Program includes surgeons who are specially trained and experienced in pancreatic and biliary diseases. In coordination with the Walter and Carol Young Pancreas Center, fellowship-trained surgical oncologists provide diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic and biliary disease, including acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, pancreatic cysts, and bile duct diseases.

These surgical oncologists are part of a team of specialists in the Pancreatic Cancer Clinic that includes surgeons, gastroenterologists, medical and radiation oncologists, clinical dietitians, associate providers, nurse coordinators and palliative care providers who work together to provide a full range of integrated services. Patients may see multiple providers in one day in the Pancreatic Tumor Interdisciplinary Clinic to speed diagnosis and coordinate treatment plans.

Pancreatic and biliary surgeries are often complex. Research at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice (TDI) and elsewhere has shown that patients have better outcomes when treated by experienced surgical teams at hospitals with greater volumes. Dartmouth Cancer Center is a leader in national efforts to limit surgeries for complex procedures such as pancreatic surgery to those hospitals and surgeons that perform them often enough.

Conditions we treat

Our surgeons focused in pancreatic and biliary disease offer expertise in the full range of diseases and conditions including:

  • Inflammation of the pancreas (acute and chronic pancreatitis)
  • Benign pancreatic tumors and cysts
  • Benign bile duct disease including bile duct stones
  • Pancreatic, duodenal and biliary cancer including cholangiocarcinoma

Treatments and procedures

The Pancreatic Cancer Clinic includes highly trained and experienced specialists in pancreatic cancer, including surgical, medical and radiation oncologists as well as gastroenterologists, dietitians and palliative care specialists. Patients are seen by a cancer surgeon and other specialists in appointments coordinated on a single day through the Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, to speed treatment timelines and coordinate effective care for complex and advanced pancreatic cancers.

Highly trained and experienced surgeons offer a range of advanced and minimally invasive surgeries for the treatment of complex pancreatic and biliary conditions, including:

  • Laparoscopic exploratory surgery for accurate diagnosis and staging.
  • Whipple procedure for complex and extensive pancreatic and bile duct cancers.
  • Minimally invasive procedures including advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgical options.

Clinical trials

Our surgical oncologists advance knowledge of treatment options and outcomes for pancreatic and biliary cancer through research and clinical trials.