Cambridge Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancer Service

The Cambridge Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary cancer service sees and deals with suspected neoplasms (abnormal growth or tissue) of the pancreas, bile duct, gall bladder and the liver.

This is both a local and tertiary service. The service is separate to the Upper GI (oesophagogastric) cancer services currently available at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. It serves as the tertiary referral centre for Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary diseases for the West Anglia Cancer Network.

A full complement of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery (HPB) surgeons with specialist expertise in the management of HPB cancers, diagnostic/interventional radiologists, oncologists with special interest in pancreatic and liver cancer is available.

The HPB team takes all tertiary referrals without any geographical restriction. Catchment populations are currently under review. Co-location of national liver transplant services allows facilities and expertise which enable modern radical treatment to be delivered with a low mortality and morbidity. The HPB team believes in delivering the above mentioned care in a timely fashion to anyone referred to the service regardless of geographical area of referral.

Recently the Strategic Health Authority and the Eastern Specialist Commissioning Group has designated this service as the interim regional centre for pancreatic cancer and has given the go ahead to develop to fully comply with the IOG guidelines. The external review body comprising of representatives from the Strategic Health Authorities, cancer networks, pancreatic cancer specialists and patient representatives made the decision earlier this year.

The review panel commented as follows in their report – ‘The service at Addenbrooke’s has reached a high level of development and has significant capacity to provide specialist pancreatic services.’

Last updated: 14 November 2005