Duodenum Cancer Treatment | Apollo Cancer Centres

Whipple Procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) for Tumor Resection - Duodenal cancers are treated by surgical resection. Whipple procedure is the removal of the head of the pancreas, duodenum, gallbladder, bile duct and the adjacent lymph nodes. After resection, the small bowel is joined to the remaining part of the pancreas, stomach and bile duct.
Whipple surgery is a complex surgical procedure that is done by highly skilled surgical oncologists specializing in GI cancers.
Surgery for Palliative care – In certain advanced cases of duodenal cancers where the tumor has spread to adjacent organs causing persistent vomiting, surgery is done. The aim of this surgery is to relieve the symptoms and improve quality of life.
Bypass - In a few cases, a bypass procedure like gastrojejunal anastomosis may be recommended for relieving the symptoms.
Other procedures for Palliative care

Endoscopic laser photocoagulation - In patients with persistent tumor bleeding, Endoscopic modalities like laser photocoagulation are used to seal off the bleeding by creating scar tissue.

Radiation therapy is not routinely used in these tumors. It may be prescribed for relieving symptoms in advanced cancers. Radiation therapy may be given as External beam radiation therapy. Sophisticated forms of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may be used to treat cancer of the Duodenum. This is done by directing a radiation beam at the affected area of the body (external beam radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy drugs are cytotoxic drugs used to kill cancer cells. The type of tumor decides the possible chemotherapy option. Chemotherapy may be used in the post-operative and metastatic setting. In the post-operative scenario, after complete resection of tumor chemotherapy is given to reduce the risk of recurrence. The consulting medical oncologist decides the number of sessions based on the stage of tumor and clinical condition of the patient.
In metastatic disease, chemotherapy is given to control the disease and reduce the symptoms. They prolong the life of the patient and decrease the symptoms related to cancer.