Pancreatic cancer is a serious condition that requires expert, coordinated care. Prof. Mittal is a founding member of the Australian Pancreatic Centre at Royal North Shore Hospital, dedicated to the care of pancreatic cancer patients.
Symptoms
Symptoms can be subtle and may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), painless yellowing, upper-abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, new-onset diabetes, or pale stools and dark urine. Because symptoms often appear late, prompt investigation is important.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves blood tests, CT and MRI scans, and sometimes endoscopic tests such as ERCP or EUS. A multidisciplinary team then reviews your case to plan the best treatment.
Treatment
Treatment is tailored to each patient and may combine surgery, chemotherapy and other therapies. The main surgical procedures include:
- The Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) — for tumours in the head of the pancreas.
- Distal pancreatectomy — for tumours in the body or tail of the pancreas.
Prof. Mittal performs these complex operations using advanced techniques, with a focus on safety and recovery. As Surgical Lead for the NSQIP quality-improvement program, he is committed to reducing surgical complications.
Recovery
Recovery after pancreatic surgery is a staged process. You’ll receive a detailed plan covering hospital stay, pain management, nutrition and gradual return to activity, with structured follow-up.