Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Surgery in India - How to Choose the Right Hospital?

Choosing the right hospital for pancreatic cancer surgery is an important decision. This short explains some of the key factors you should consider when reviewing your options.

Experience and surgical volume

The experience of the surgical unit is a significant factor in complex procedures for pancreatic cancer.

• High-volume centres. Hospitals that perform a large number of pancreatic surgeries often have more experienced teams and established care pathways for recovery.
• A specialist surgeon. The operation is usually performed by a surgical oncologist or an HPB (hepato-pancreato-biliary) surgeon with specific training in this area.
• A team approach. Care is usually delivered by a multi-disciplinary team where surgeons work with medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, and dietitians.

Facilities and support services

The right infrastructure is needed to support patients before, during, and after a major operation.

• Intensive Care Unit. A modern, well-equipped ICU is important for managing the first few days of recovery after surgery.
• Advanced diagnostics. The hospital should have access to high-quality imaging like CT, MRI, and PET scans for accurate diagnosis and planning.
• Interventional radiology. These services may be needed to place stents to relieve jaundice before surgery can be safely performed.
• Nutritional support. Access to dietitians is helpful, as maintaining nutrition can be a challenge before and after surgery.

Questions for the medical team

• How many pancreatic resections does the surgeon and the hospital perform each year?
• What is the typical recovery pathway in the hospital after this operation?
• Which other specialists will be involved in my care?
• How is post-operative pain managed?

The suitability of any hospital or treatment depends on your individual case. A final recommendation can only be made after a specialist has reviewed your medical reports and recent imaging.