Liver, pancreas and bile duct cancers

Liver cancer, pancreatic cancer and bile duct cancer are collectively known as hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers.

Hepatopancreatobiliary services in Belfast Trust are provided in Belfast City Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Mater Hospital.

• Liver cancer

  Macmillan has a lot of information on liver cancer, including:

  • types
  • symptoms
  • causes
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • after treatment

   

  NI Direct also has a range of information on liver cancer.

• Pancreatic cancer

  Macmillan has a lot of information on pancreatic cancer, including:

  • symptoms
  • causes
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • after treatment

   

  NI Direct also has a range of information on pancreatic cancer.

• Bile duct cancer

  Macmillan has a lot of information on bile duct cancer, including:

  • symptoms
  • causes
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • after treatment

   

  NI Direct also has a range of information on bile duct cancer.

• Referral

  If your GP suspects you may have cancer of the liver, pancreas or bile duct, you will be referred to one of the hospitals in Belfast Trust.

  You will then be contacted about an appointment.

• Multi-disciplinary team

  The Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Cancer Team meets every week to discuss patients with suspected and confirmed liver, pancreatic or bile duct cancer.

  These discussions help the team decide the best treatment plans for patients.

  The team includes:

  • specialist HPB surgeons
  • hepatologists
  • oncologists
  • radiologists
  • pathologists
  • clinical nurse specialists
  • palliative care specialists
  • outpatient nursing staff
  • physiotherapists
  • occupational health specialists
  • social workers
  • admin staff

   

  A copy of any discussions will be sent to the patient’s GP.

• Follow-up

  After your treatment is complete, you will be asked to return to the hospital for follow-up appointments.

  These review appointments allow us to check the progress of your recovery. They are also an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns you may have.

  If you have any problems or notice any new symptoms in between review appointments, contact your GP or consultant.

• Useful links
  • Macmillan information on liver cancer
  • Macmillan information on pancreatic cancer
  • Macmillan information on bile duct cancer
  • NI Direct information on liver cancer
  • NI Direct information on pancreatic cancer
  • NI Direct information on bile duct cancer
  • British Liver Trust
  • Guts UK
  • Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer (NIPANC)
  • Pancreatic Cancer UK
  • Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund
  • Pancreatic Cancer Action