UW Multidisciplinary Hepatobiliary Pancreas Clinic

What This Clinic Offers

• All the experts at once


• State-of-the-art care


• Care for all types of patients


• Excellence in cancer treatment and research

What This Clinic Offers

Established in 1997, the UW Multidisciplinary Hepatobiliary Pancreas Clinic takes a team approach to treating problems of the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract.

	Click to view
abdominal anatomy		hepatobiliary pancreas anatomy

We are a leader in surgery, gastroenterology, and cancer research and therapy. We work together to provide patients with second opinions and new treatment options. We also serve as a resource for researchers and scientists seeking more effective strategies for patient care.

All the experts at once.

The UW Multidisciplinary Hepatobiliary Pancreas Clinic brings together a complete team of health care professionals: surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, hepatologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, social workers, and financial specialists. Each member of the team is actively involved in patient evaluation and treatment, and each understands patients' and their families' special needs.

State-of-the-art care.

We offer the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic procedures available today. Our physicians are actively involved in:

• investigating the use of less invasive diagnostic tests, such as:
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• endoscopic ultrasound
• positron emission tomography (PET) scanning
• improving the use of existing medications
• performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• developing new medications and methods of chemotherapy
• improving dose schedules and regimens for radiation therapy
• utilizing new surgical techniques, including laparoscopy and intraoperative ultrasound
• performing innovative treatments for liver tumors: cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and chemoembolization
• coordinating a National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial that investigates treatments for portal hypertension
• identifying more effective combined therapies, including surgery, endoscopy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy

Care for all types of patients.

Our physicians provide medical and surgical care for individuals with complex diseases (either benign or malignant) of the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract.

Because we are a tertiary referral clinic, the number of patients we care for is substantial. Some of our patients are newly diagnosed, while others have tried conventional treatment and/or surgery without success.

Excellence in cancer treatment and research.

The UW Multidisciplinary Hepatobiliary Pancreas Clinic is closely associated with the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 37 comprehensive cancer centers approved and designated by the National Cancer Institute. To earn this designation, the institution must be a leader in patient care, research, education, and community service.

How the Clinic Operates

On the first clinic visit, the patient should bring medical reports, x-rays, pathology slides, letters, and any other materials from their primary care physician. This will help the multidisciplinary team assess the case and determine whether additional tests are necessary. HMO patients should also bring a written referral. Each patient spends a half day at the clinic, during which time he or she meets with one or several physicians, depending on his or her condition.

Our physicians review the case, perform an examination, order further testing if necessary, and recommend a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If a patient has special needs, we may enlist the help of a social worker, nutritionist, home health care specialist, or other health professional. At the conclusion of the clinic visit, one of our physicians discusses the team's findings and treatment recommendations with the patient. Physicians and nurses work closely with the patient to make sure he or she understands the diagnosis and treatment options.

To ensure that all treatment options are explored, patient cases are discussed at the weekly hepatobiliary pancreas multidisciplinary conference that immediately follows the clinic. Occasionally, patients seen in the clinic may require hospitalization that same day. We will help prepare admission materials if necessary.

Our Dedication to Referring Physicians

We believe the best way to manage complex diseases is through teamwork, both within our institution and with physicians throughout the community. Our staff is dedicated to working closely with referring physicians to make a diagnosis and to develop and carry out an appropriate treatment plan that uses the most current resources and knowledge available.

The Multidisciplinary Medical Team

Related Journal Articles

Many of our physicians have published scientific articles on topics related to the hepatobiliary pancreas clinic.

Click on a topic to perform a customized literature search. Related articles from the past 5 years will be retrieved.

• Cryosurgery / Cryoablation
• Chemotherapy / Radiation Therapy
• Surgical Oncology
• Imaging / Radiology
• Liver Surgery
• Gastroenterology / Endoscopy

For More Information / To Make An Appointment

For more information, please contact the clinic's nurse coordinator at (608) 262-2146 or (800) 323-8942, or call the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center's Cancer Connect at (800) 622-8922..

The following web sites may also provide helpful information:

• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (see document "Understanding ERCP")
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• CancerNet, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (see document "Questions and Answers About Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment")
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (see document "ERCP")

To schedule an appointment, please contact:

UW Multidisciplinary Hepatobiliary Pancreas Clinic
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792

Appointments:
(608) 263-7502 or (800) 323-8942

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General Surgery University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery
First published: 07/15/02 Last updated: 05/17/08 webmaster@surgery.wisc.edu
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