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EXCELLENCE IN PANCREATIC CANCER CARE |
The most
effective treatment for pancreatic cancer is a surgical operation known as
pancreaticoduodenectomy (sometimes referred to as the Whipple procedure)
combined with the appropriate chemotherapy and radiation therapy strategies.1,2
Recent reports from several leading institutions in the United States document
that an inverse relationship exists between mortality rates associated with the
Whipple procedure and hospital pancreatic cancer patient volume, as well as
hospital teaching status.
From April 1998 to June 2002 approximately 250 pancreatic surgical procedures
have been performed by the OU Surgical Oncology pancreatic cancer team of OU
Physicians.
Approximately 200
of these involved pancreatic tumors and cancer; well over 100 of these patients
were cared for in the last two years of this four-year period.
In the six months ending in December 2002, 26 Whipple procedures for pancreatic
cancer have been performed by OU Physicians.
The “Report of the Pancreatic Cancer Progress Review Group” to the National Cancer Institute has proposed that centers of excellence for pancreatic cancer care and research may be desirable due to data demonstrating that institutions performing higher numbers of pancreaticoduodenectomy procedures provide an improved level of care with superior outcomes. This report suggested 25 or greater per year as the criteria for recognition as a center. Currently, only one-third of pancreatic cancer patients are referred to institutions treating more than 25 pancreatic cancer patients per year or performing 25 pancreatic resections per year.
The
“National Cancer Policy Board” has recommended
selective referral to high-volume centers
for pancreaticoduodenectomy procedures due to convincing outcome data over the
last several years.
Additionally,
the “Leapfrog Group”, a large coalition representing over 30 million
patients, is emphasizing minimum volume standards
for selected procedures including pancreaticoduodenectomy.
The
importance of experience
in the care of pancreatic cancer patients has recently been emphasized
and confirmed in a report in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.3
The criteria for Centers of Excellence established by these reports has existed and has been substantially exceeded at OU Physicians for over four years and, has already been exceeded in the first half of this year (the most recent 6-month time period). The focus on pancreatic cancer at OU Physicians sets the regional standard for care of pancreatic cancer patients. The experience in caring for the high volume of pancreatic cancer patients has resulted in significant reductions in operating time, complication rate, and mortality rate. OU Physicians and the OU ~ Southwest Program for Pancreatic Cancer http://w3.ouhsc.edu/surgery//pancan/index.htm assures state-of-the-art health care for pancreatic cancer patients in Oklahoma and the surrounding Southwest Region without the necessity of excessive travel and expense for the patient, as well as family and friends.
For patient referral, call (800) 477-1248;
in the OKC metro, call 271-4722
For OU Southwest Program for Pancreatic Cancer
Telephone: (405) 271-2108
Email: Daniel-Brackett@ouhsc.edu
1 Archives of Surgery 120: 899, 1985; 2 Cancer 59: 206, 1987; 3 Annals of Surgical Oncology 9: 847, 2002.
Pancreatic Surgeons
Jeffrey S. Bender, M.D.,
graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He completed his
residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Wayne State University. Following
time in the U.S. Navy and on the faculty of Wayne State, he was on the faculty
at Johns Hopkins from 1990 to 2001. In August 2001, Dr. Bender joined OU
Physicians as Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery. In addition to
laparoscopy, his clinical interests include pancreatic and colorectal surgery
and the repair of complex hernias. He is also a professor of Surgery.
Larry R. Pennington, M.D.,
Vice Chairman of Surgery and Chief, Section of Transplant Surgery, was born in
Oklahoma and graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma College of
Medicine in 1975. He completed his residency in General Surgery at The Johns
Hopkins Hospital in 1982 and joined the faculty there at that time. He joined OU
Physicians in July 1986. In addition to transplant surgery his interest
include pancreatic and hepatic surgery. He was appointed to the G. Rainey
Williams Chair in Surgical Research in 1998. He is also a professor of Surgery.
Russell G. Postier, M.D.,
Chairman of Surgery, was born in Oklahoma and graduated from the University of
Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1975. He completed his residency in General
Surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1981 and joined OU Physicians
immediately following completion of his training. He is a member of the Society
of University Surgeons. His special interests are GI, biliary, and pancreatic
surgery. Dr. Postier was appointed John A. Schilling Professor and Chair in July
1997.