HPB Cancer Surgery — Pancreas (Whipple), Liver & Bile Duct

What it covers

Pancreatic cancer (incl. Whipple), liver tumours, bile duct and gallbladder cancers

Signature operation

Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) for pancreatic head tumours

Training

Fellowship in GI-HPB Surgical Oncology — RGCIRC, Delhi; MCh — SGPGIMS, Lucknow

Where

Apollo Hospitals, Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru

Warning signs worth evaluating

• Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), especially painless and progressive
• Persistent upper abdominal or back pain, unintended weight loss
• New-onset diabetes with weight loss in later adult life
• Pale stools with dark urine and itching

These signs warrant prompt evaluation — HPB cancers are best treated when found early, and jaundice in particular should never wait.

The Whipple procedure

For tumours of the pancreatic head and nearby structures, the Whipple operation (pancreaticoduodenectomy) removes the tumour-bearing segment along with adjoining portions of the digestive tract, then reconstructs continuity. It is one of the most complex abdominal operations, and it belongs in experienced HPB-trained hands with a full multidisciplinary team — which is exactly how it is delivered here. Distal pancreatectomy addresses tumours of the pancreatic body and tail.

Liver and bile duct surgery

Liver resections remove primary liver tumours and, in suitable cases, cancers that have spread to the liver (such as from colorectal cancer). Bile duct and gallbladder cancers are treated with resections tailored to the tumour's location, including radical cholecystectomy where indicated. Every case is staged first and planned with the tumour board.

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Alister Victor perform the Whipple procedure?

Yes — pancreatic cancer surgery including the Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) and distal pancreatectomy is a core part of his GI-HPB surgical oncology practice, planned through a multidisciplinary tumour board.

Is pancreatic cancer operable?

It depends on stage and location — staging scans determine whether surgery, or chemotherapy first, is the right sequence. That decision is made by the tumour board after complete evaluation.

Can liver tumours be removed?

Many can — both primary liver cancers and selected secondary tumours are treated with liver resection after assessment of liver function and tumour extent.

What causes painless jaundice?

Painless progressive jaundice can signal a blockage of the bile duct, including by tumours — it needs prompt evaluation without delay.

This page provides general information and is not a substitute for a consultation. Treatment decisions are individual and made after a surgical evaluation.