Overview
At Cleveland Clinic in Florida, our surgeons provide a high volume of liver and pancreas surgeries. Our expertise with the latest, most advanced therapies draws patients from across Florida and the U.S.
Liver and Pancreas Surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Florida: Why Choose Us?
We are a recognized leader in liver and pancreas surgeries. Highlights of our care include:
- Pancreatic excellence: The National Pancreatic Foundation recognizes Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital as a pancreatic Center of Excellence. We earned this distinction through our comprehensive, exceptional care for pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.
- Liver expertise: Cleveland Clinic in Florida is home to the only Liver Tumor Clinic in South Florida. You have access to hepatologists, liver surgeons, oncologists and transplant surgeons all in one place.
- Advanced cancer treatment: We’re one of the few centers in the U.S. offering hypothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This procedure places heated chemotherapy medication directly in your abdomen to treat advanced liver and pancreatic cancers.
Liver, Bile Duct and Pancreas Conditions
Liver tumors
Our specialists provide surgery for liver tumors or tumors that spread to the liver from other organs. We treat:
- Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer): We treat cholangiocarcinoma with bile duct removal or partial hepatectomy (removal of part of the liver). Advanced bile duct cancers may require the Whipple procedure (removal of your bile duct, gallbladder and part of your pancreas, small intestine and stomach). Our surgeons have years of experience with these intricate procedures.
- Colorectal liver metastases: Colorectal cancer that has spread to your liver requires a specialized care plan. We partner with our nationally accredited Colorectal Cancer Program to provide comprehensive treatment. You receive all the care you need, from the latest chemotherapy techniques to leading-edge radiation therapy.
- Liver metastases: Breast, esophageal, lung, pancreatic and stomach cancers can metastasize (spread) to your liver. You receive seamless care from our surgeons and our leading Cancer Centers. Our surgical experience draws referrals for even the most complex liver cases in the region.
- Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma): Our specialists are experienced in liver resection and ablation procedures for liver cancer. Interventional radiologists, oncologists and surgeons remove advanced liver tumors that were considered unresectable (unable to be surgically removed). We also have a world-leading Liver Transplant Program for the most advanced liver cancers.
Pancreas tumors and cysts
Pancreas surgery is complex, so having a skilled surgeon is important. Our team has decades of experience performing pancreas surgery, including minimally invasive methods, to treat:
- Adenocarcinoma: Most pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas, or cancers of the exocrine portion of the pancreas. Treatment may include pancreatectomy (removal of all or part of your pancreas). You also may need chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and stents. Our center's surgeons work closely with oncologists and radiation oncologists to provide exceptional cancer care.
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs): PNETs are cancers that affect hormone-producing cells in the pancreas. These tumors can include cancers of cells that produce insulin (insulinoma) or other hormones (gastrinomas, VIPomas and somatostatinomas). Our surgeons are experienced in minimally invasive methods, including laparoscopic enucleation and endoscopic ablation. These techniques have fewer complications and better outcomes than traditional surgery. Larger PNETs may require pancreatectomy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
- Pre-cancerous pancreatic cysts (pancreatic cystic neoplasms): Our team has expertise in creating a personalized surveillance strategy for patients with pre-cancerous pancreas cysts such as intra-ductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). If the risk of cancer is high, we provide minimally invasive laparoscopic pancreatic surgery. We are among a select few centers in the country to offer endoscopic ultrasound-guided minimally invasive ablation for pre-cancerous pancreatic cysts.
- Pancreatic pseudocysts and necrosis: Pancreatic cysts, pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis can occur as complications of pancreatitis. Large pseudocysts or areas of necrosis can cause symptoms or become infected. Our multidisciplinary team includes interventional endoscopy, interventional radiology, and pancreatic surgery experts. We provide the optimal treatment for you, which could include minimally invasive endoscopic drainage and debridement, drainage through skin incisions or laparoscopic pancreatic surgery.
Liver, Bile Duct and Pancreas Procedures
Our surgeons are experienced in every type of liver, bile duct and pancreas surgery. We’re among the few in the region to perform surgery for complex or recurrent liver and pancreas cancers. We provide:
Ablation of liver tumors
Liver ablation uses radiofrequency (heat) or cryoablation (cold) energy to destroy liver tumors. Surgeons work with interventional radiologists to guide the ablation tools through small incisions. Ablation can remove tumors deep in your liver and in patients who cannot tolerate traditional surgery.
Endoscopic liver and pancreas procedures
We provide minimally invasive endoscopy procedures to treat many conditions that used to require traditional surgery. You have less pain and a faster, easier recovery with our methods. Our endoscopic procedures include:
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): We use EUS to diagnose and treat cancers and cysts on your liver and pancreas. EUS allows our specialists to drain pancreatic pseudocysts and provide pain relief for pancreatitis.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Our specialists examine and treat conditions in your bile ducts using ERCP. Our center also has expertise in directly visualizing the bile duct using cholangioscopy technology. These procedures enable us to collect targeted biopsies and place stents (tubes) in narrowed ducts in the bile duct or pancreas. We also use ERCP to remove biliary stones. We are a referral center for removal of large and complex stones using minimally invasive endoscopic lithotripsy.
Hepatectomy
Our specialists provide all types of hepatectomy (liver resection), including:
- Partial hepatectomy (removal of part of your liver).
- Total hepatectomy (removal of your entire liver), which must be paired with liver transplant.
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)
HIPEC delivers chemotherapy directly into your abdomen (belly). We are among a few centers in the U.S. to offer this treatment. HIPEC treats advanced liver and pancreatic cancer as well as other cancers in the abdomen.
Our specialists may use HIPEC after liver or pancreas surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. You lie down on a cooling blanket and our specialists connect a tube to your abdomen during this single-dose treatment. We deliver heated chemotherapy through the tube and ensure it reaches all areas of your abdomen. HIPEC has fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy and is a more intense dose.
Laparoscopic liver and pancreas surgery
We treat early stage cancers and benign tumors with laparoscopic resection whenever possible. Our surgeons remove tumors and cysts on your liver or pancreas through several small incisions. This minimally invasive procedure provides you with a faster recovery.
Liver transplant
Our active liver transplant program includes a highly experienced team. We perform a high volume of transplants and maintain excellent outcomes. Learn more about our leading liver transplant program.
Pancreatectomy
Pancreatectomy, or pancreatic resection, is surgery to remove all or part of your pancreas. At Cleveland Clinic in Florida, we provide more than 90% of our pancreatectomies with minimally invasive methods.
You may need distal pancreatectomy (removal of the pancreas tail), Whipple surgery (removal of the head of the pancreas) or total pancreatectomy (removal of your entire pancreas). We explain which surgery is best based on the size and location of the tumor or cyst. After your pancreatic surgery, you receive seamless care from endocrinologists, nutritionists and oncologists, if needed.
Whipple procedure
The Whipple procedure, or pancreaticoduodenectomy, removes your bile duct and gallbladder and part of your pancreas, small intestine and stomach. Then, our surgeons reattach the remaining part of your pancreas, bile duct and stomach to your small intestine.
The Whipple procedure is complex, and only select centers have the experience and skill to provide it. When possible, we perform a minimally invasive Whipple surgery using laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopic methods help you recover faster and have a lower risk of complications.
Comprehensive Liver, Bile Duct and Pancreatic Cancer Care
After liver, bile duct or pancreatic cancer surgery, our specialists guide you through follow-up care. You receive comprehensive treatment from our nationally accredited cancer centers, including:
- Chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy (medication that uses your immune system to destroy cancer).
- Radiation therapy.
- Targeted therapy (medication that attacks certain genes or proteins in the tumor).
- Cancer support services, including mental health, social work and community resources.
Multidisciplinary Approach
The Department of Liver and Pancreas Surgery offers a multidisciplinary approach to treating a broad area of medical conditions and disorders relating to the liver, pancreas and biliary system. The department unites expert physicians from the following specialties to achieve the best outcomes for the patients:
Publications for patients
Download our Understanding Liver Disease brochure
More information
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network:
www.pancan.org - National Cancer Society:
www.cancer.org
Appointments & Locations
Make an appointment at a Cleveland Clinic location in Florida, or schedule a virtual visit.
