Though cancers of the liver and pancreas are not the most common, they are among the deadliest. Most of the time, patients are asymptomatic until the cancer is in a late stage, when it has spread to include a large part of the organ or has metastasized to other parts of the body.

Because of the challenges of early diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease, specialized and expert treatment become essential for patients who have been diagnosed. The Cancer Institute is one of the few facilities in the region with the expertise to perform the complex Whipple surgery, a procedure that removes the head and neck of the pancreas.

Whipple Procedure Surgeon

Klatskin Tumor

liver tumor The Hodes Comprehensive Liver and Pancreas Center at St. Joseph has a highly experienced team of gastroenterologists and radiologists who perform the blood tests, diagnostic imaging and biopsies needed to diagnose liver and pancreatic cancer. Our skilled doctors can make all the difference in making an early diagnosis and starting an effective treatment plan.

Patients with a Klatskin tumor usually present with painless jaundice. Further investigation reveals that the obstruction is at the level of the right and left bile duct bifurcation.

Management of this tumor depends on its stage at presentation. It is important to be accurately staged so that optimal surgical planning can be undertaken.

Tumors confined to the bifurcation can be treated with resection of the common bile duct with reconstruction.

Tumors that invade the right or left system will also require addition liver surgery or resection to achieve optimal clearance.

Extended liver resections with portal vein resection are frequently needed in treating patients with this malignancy.

Learn More About Pancreatic Cancer »

Learn More About the whipple procedure »