The “Pancreatic Emergency” Referral Centre of the Hôpital Franco-Britannique
The centre was first set up on the initiative of Professor Aimery de Graimont in 2015, and allows the Hôpital Franco-Britannique’s Cancerology Centre to provide faster individual treatment and care for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Why did the Hôpital Franco-Britannique decide to set up the “Pancreatic Emergency” Referral Centre”?
Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic adenocarcinoma) is generally a quite aggressive form of cancer.
It is a condition which can lead to a very rapid deterioration of the patient’s health: weight-loss, jaundice, pain, etc.
The prognosis can be very serious, especially if the patient does not receive treatment very quickly.
The chances of recovery from pancreatic can be greatly increased if the condition can be operated on immediately.
However, if it cannot be operated on immediately, chemotherapy must be commenced very quickly to reduce the size of the tumour and a decision regarding surgery must be made after this.
Considering the very serious consequences at stake for patients suffering from this condition, the Hôpital Franco-Britannique’s Cancerology Centre has decided to instigate the fastest admission and best possible treatment of patients.
The Hôpital Franco-Britannique’s objective here is to provide diagnostic and therapeutic care within 8 days.
Our ambition: to interrupt the extremely rapid and aggressive development of the tumour in order to improve our patients’ quality of life and chances of survival.
The patient will benefit from the whole of the Hôpital Franco-Britannique’s resources.
Our medical and paramedical staff are highly committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder for the well-being of the patient.
DAY 0
The GP, gastroenterologist or radiologist calls the special “Pancreatic Emergency” phone line. They can then organise the admission of the patient with the oncologist, generally on the following day.
Depending on the patient’s health condition, they can be admitted as an out-patient, a short-stay patient or as a normal hospital patient.
Day 1
The patient arrives at the ward and receives a complete diagnostic during the first day.
- Clinical examination
- Standard blood test
- Thoraco-abdomino-pelvic scanner
- Consultation with an anaesthetist
- Consultation with a dietician
- Pain management consultation
- Consultation with a psychologist
- Surgeon’s opinion
Days 2 and 3
The patient is transferred to the Alma Clinic (Paris 8th arrondissement), which is an interventional endoscopy referral centre.
A biopsy is completed under short-duration general anaesthetic to arrive at a diagnostic and in the event of jaundice a prosthetic can be implanted in the biliary canals.
Dayss 4 to 6
The patient returns to the Hôpital Franco-Britannique where the treatment will be continued:
- MRI and PET scans if the condition appears to be localised.
- Exchange of opinions and findings involving the surgeon, cancerologist, radiologist, radiotherapist to decide on the best possible treatment strategy.
- Dietary treatment
- Pain management treatment
- Consultation with the psychologist
- Communication of the diagnostic and proposed treatment to the patient and their family by a specialised nurse.
Day 7
Biopsy reports (see Days 2 and 3) for confirmation of the diagnostic.
Installation of a implantable venous access device by the surgeon (unit placed under the skin) with a catheter into a principal vein to avoid damaging the patient’s more fragile veins (peripheral veins in the arm) when administering IV treatments.
Day 8
Start of treatment: surgery with exeresis of the pancreatic tumour where this is operable, otherwise chemotherapy.
- Cancerology Centre Manager, Head of the Medical Oncology Department: Professor Aimery de Gramont
- “Pancreatic Emergency” Referral Centre Manager: Dr Alexandre Fouquier d’Hérouël
- Digestive Surgery Correspondent: Dr Hubert Richa, Digestive Surgery Department Head
- Diagnostic Endoscopy Unit Correspondent: Dr Emmanuel Bensoussan (Alma Clinic)
- Medical Imaging Correspondent: Dr Isabelle le Claire, Medical Imaging Department Head
- Anatomical pathology Unit Correspondent: Dr Linda Dainese (Paris Pathology Institute)
- Pain Management Correspondent: Dr Corinne Leder
- Nutrition Correspondent: Dr Delphine Rouchou-Bloch
- Psychology Correspondent: M. Julien Davenne
Click here to see the patient and family guide published by the A.R.CA.D foundation.
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
Most frequent:
- Abdominal pain around the stomach and back pain
- Jaundice
- Unexplained weight-loss associated with intense fatigue and a lack of appetite
Less frequently:
- Fatty stools, vomiting
- A recent diabetes diagnosis, phlebitis, depression
What should I do if I have symptoms which could indicate pancreatic cancer?
You should consult your GP such that they can evaluate whether your health condition justifies further tests (blood test, scanner, etc.).
What should I do if a lump is identified by a scan or ultra-sound scan?
You should ask your doctor (GP or gastroenterologist) to contract the hopital franco-britannique’s “pancreatic emergency” centre such that you can be admitted for treatment as quickly as possible (see the contact section of this web-site).
What will happen when I am admitted to the “pancreatic emergency” centre?
The initial treatment phase will take around 8 days.
The hopital franco-britannique has prepared the best possible rapid hospitalisation program to ensure that a diagnostic is reached as quickly as possible.
Full details of this can be found in the “treatment program” tab of this web-site.
You will be treated by a referring oncologist who will follow your case during your hospitalisation and who will help you make all of the necessary decisions raised by your health condition.
Your family can be present during the consultations and treatment if you wish.
Your GP will be kept up to date on your condition.
What is a port / porta cath / implantable venous access device?
This is a small device that is placed under the skin below the clavicle. It makes taking blood samples and administering treatments easier and avoids damaging the veins of the arm
This device is easily implanted under local anaesthetic by a surgeon or anaesthetist.
If the pancreatic cancer diagnosis is confirmed, where will the treatment occur?
Wherever possible the staff of the hopital franco-britannique will privilege out-patient treatment at the out-patient clinic. You should be able to live your life normally at home as much as possible.
Sometimes, if you are too fatigued, we will propose treatment as a short-stay patient.
In the event of an intercurrent condition (aplasia, infection, significant changes to your health condition), a longer hospitalisation may be necessary.
We will do everything we can to ensure that you can return home with home-care as soon as your condition allows this.
Will I get the best possible treatment?
The hopital franco-britannique’s oncology department is deeply committed to clinical research. The department proposes the best possible treatment available for its patients.
There is a fair chance that we will offer you the chance to participate in clinical trials: this will allow you to benefit from all possible treatments.
You will receive full explanations of all expected benefits and possible side-effects.
All therapeutic decisions will be taken with your approval.
What happens if my pancreatic cancer worsens and my state of health deteriorates?
Our most sincere wish is to support you whatever happens with your condition. Beds for palliative care are available within the unit for those with the most serious conditions.
The Hopital Franco-Britannique takes the greatest possible care in the comfort of its patients and all necessary pain management treatment.
If you would like us to transfer you to one of the hoptal franco-britannique’s partner palliative care centres such as the Jeanne Garnier medical centre in Paris, the Puteaux palliative care unit, or the ‘Maison Notre Dame du Lac in Reuil-Malmaison, we can arrange this.
For more information you can consult the pancreatic cancer guide – A.R.CA.D
For the admission of a patient with a suspected malign tumour of the pancreas you should contact the Franco-Britannique Hospital Oncology department during office hours (9am to 6pm).
Doctor Alexandre FOUQUIER d’HEROUEL
Pancreatic Emergency program manager
Telephone: 01 47 59 19 15
Mobile: 06 65 51 56 15 (exclusively for medical professionals)
Fax: 01 47 59 59 54
4, rue Kléber – 92300 Levallois
