HPB Surgery › Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Specialist surgical management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and other pancreatic malignancies.
Overview
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) is one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, arising from the exocrine cells of the pancreas. It is the most common type of pancreatic cancer and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Surgery remains the only potentially curative treatment, making specialist HPB surgical expertise critical to outcomes.
When to see a surgeon
If you or your patient has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, early referral to a specialist HPB surgeon is essential to assess surgical eligibility and plan treatment as a multidisciplinary team.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
- Painless jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal or back pain
- New-onset diabetes or worsening of existing diabetes
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
- Pale greasy stools or dark urine
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is the cornerstone of curative treatment for pancreatic cancer. The type of surgery depends on the location of the tumour within the pancreas:
- Whipple's Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy) — for cancers in the head of the pancreas
- Distal Pancreatectomy — for cancers in the body and tail of the pancreas
- Total Pancreatectomy — for cancers involving the entire pancreas
Dr. Nahm has subspecialty training and extensive experience in all forms of pancreatic cancer surgery, performed at high-volume HPB centres in Australia and the United Kingdom. He works as part of a multidisciplinary team including oncologists, gastroenterologists, and radiologists to deliver the best possible outcome for each patient.
Multidisciplinary Care
Modern pancreatic cancer care involves careful staging with CT and PET imaging, assessment for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, and presentation at a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting prior to surgery. Dr. Nahm actively participates in MDT meetings at Westmead Hospital and collaborates closely with medical and radiation oncologists.
Research in Pancreatic Cancer
As the inaugural Harris Van Beek Pancreatic Cancer Research Scholar, Dr. Nahm completed a PhD in pancreatic cancer research at The University of Sydney. He co-leads the Westmead Pancreatic Cancer Research Group, focusing on tailoring treatment strategies and improving post-operative recovery. He has authored over 90 publications and is the author of the national COSA guidelines for neuroendocrine tumours.