What are the most effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer?

By Mr Neville Menezes
Surgery

Mr Neville Menezes is a vastly experienced consultant general and gastrointestinal surgeon practising in London. His specialty focuses include upper GI diseases and gastroenterological symptoms and diseases. 

He has been a practicing surgeon and gastrointestinal endoscopist for 30 years. He has a wide breadth of experience and knowledge in general surgery, hepato-biliary surgery, pancreatic surgery and all types of laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery).

Following his primary qualification of MBBS in 1988 he obtained his master’s degree, M.S (Surgery) with research in 1990. He thereafter was trained in the South Thames Deanery with specialist training in general surgery. He completed his FRCS from The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh and further pursued advanced research and specialist training followed by an intercollegiate FRCS (Gen. Surg.) in 2002. His liver experience was acquired at The King's College hospital in London and his pancreatico-biliary experience was at the Lister Department of Surgery at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow. He also trained as a laparoscopic fellow at “The Minimal Access Laparoscopic Surgical Training Unit (MATTU), in Guildford.

He offers a wide range of upper GI operations like laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, laparoscopic surgery for gallstone disease (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), bile duct exploration and gastro-duodenal surgery. His general surgical experience is vast and he offers surgery for all types of hernias, open surgery and keyhole surgery, excision of lesions and management of GI abdominal lesions. His endoscopic experience covers procedures like gastroscopy (diagnostic and therapeutic), flexible sigmoidoscopy, ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound.

He is very passionate about the concept of early diagnosis of all cancers, especially pancreatic cancer, oesophageal and gastric cancers and biliary and liver cancers. He has devoted a lot of his time in developing endoscopic techniques that allow immediate cytological diagnosis of cancers on his endoscopic techniques. He also actively participates in the nonspecific but serious symptoms clinic (NSSSC) for the CCG and Surrey and Sussex cancer network to facilitate early diagnosis of cancer. He is the hepato-biliary and pancreatic cancer lead for St. Peter’s Hospital, which is affiliated to the Royal Surrey County Hospital for tertiary level HPB cancer services.

Mr Menezes continues his dedication to his field by fulfilling roles in leadership, education, and research. He is currently researching topics within pancreatic cancer to improve diagnosis and treatment, benefiting the survival of patients. As well, his research continues in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, where he is looking for a better solution to treat patients. Mr Menezes has been published numerous times on his topics of interest, often in peer-reviewed journals.

In addition to practising at his private clinics, Mr Menezes also works with the NHS where he has been a vital contribution as a consultant hepato-biliary surgeon at the Regional HPB unit.

Overall assessment of their patients