Expert Diagnosis and Treatment of the Abdominal Organs

Published: 18.04.2025 · Last Updated: 05.08.2026 · Prepared by the Academic Hospital Web and Editorial Board.

Pancreas, Liver and Bile Duct Diseases manages the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the diseases affecting these three critical organs with a multidisciplinary approach. Our team of gastroenterology, hepatology and surgery specialists provides care across a wide spectrum, from acute emergencies to chronic diseases and from benign cysts to cancer. The unit works in coordination with the gastroenterology department for the management of digestive system diseases, with medical oncology for the systemic treatment of liver and pancreatic cancers, and with general surgery for surgical procedures.

Academic Hospital Pancreas, Liver and Bile Duct Diseases Unit

Contents

What Are Pancreatic, Liver and Bile Duct Diseases?
Which Diseases and Conditions Are Treated?
When Should You Seek Medical Advice?
Diagnostic and Assessment Methods
Treatment Approaches
Pancreas, Liver and Bile Duct Diseases at Academic Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
References

What Are Pancreatic, Liver and Bile Duct Diseases?

The pancreas is a dual-function organ that produces both digestive enzymes and insulin. The liver is responsible for metabolism, the clearance of toxins and the production of clotting factors. The gallbladder and bile ducts store the bile produced in the liver and deliver it to the intestine. Diseases in which these three organs are affected either independently of one another or in association require a specialised diagnostic and treatment infrastructure, because the pathologies of these organs are closely related both in terms of symptoms and in terms of treatment options.

Which Diseases and Conditions Are Treated?

Acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic cysts (pseudocyst, IPMN, mucinous cystic neoplasm)
Pancreatic cancer and tumours of the ampulla of Vater
Cholelithiasis (gallstones) and its complications
Cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts), choledocholithiasis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
Liver cysts and liver abscess
Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and liver metastases
Viral hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease (NASH/NAFLD)
Cirrhosis and the complications of portal hypertension
Autoimmune hepatitis

When Should You Seek Medical Advice?

Recurrent or continuous pain in the upper abdomen or in the right flank
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, pale stools
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss
Abdominal swelling or newly developed ascites (accumulation of fluid within the abdomen)
Tiredness, weakness and raised liver enzymes in blood tests
Pain in the upper right abdomen and indigestion after fatty meals
Abdominal pain together with fever (suspected cholangitis; may require emergency attendance)
People previously diagnosed with hepatitis B or C who are not attending regular follow-up

Emergency: If severe abdominal pain is accompanied by fever, shivering and jaundice, do not wait for an outpatient appointment. In this situation call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Diagnostic and Assessment Methods

For an accurate diagnosis, imaging, endoscopic and laboratory methods are assessed together; the unit performs the greater part of these tests in house.

Method	What it is used for
Abdominal ultrasonography	First-line imaging of structural changes such as gallstones, liver cysts and enlargement of the pancreas
Computed tomography (CT)	Assessment of tumour size, spread and vascular relationships
MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)	Detailed imaging of the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct without radiation
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)	Examination of the bile ducts for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)	High-resolution imaging of pancreatic masses and lymph nodes; fine needle biopsy
Liver biopsy	Diagnosis of hepatitis, the stage of fibrosis and autoimmune disease
Fibroscan (elastography)	Measurement of liver stiffness (the degree of fibrosis) without the need for a biopsy
Laboratory tests	Liver enzymes, bilirubin, pancreatic amylase and lipase, tumour markers (CA 19-9, AFP), viral hepatitis serology

Treatment Approaches

The treatment method is individualised according to the type and stage of the disease and the patient's general state of health; endoscopic, surgical and medical methods are used in an integrated way.

Treatment	Scope and application
Stone clearance and stent placement by ERCP	Endoscopic removal of stones or strictures in the bile duct; offers an alternative to surgery
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy	Closed gallbladder surgery performed for gallbladder stones
Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy)	Extensive surgery involving the head of the pancreas, the duodenum and the gallbladder; performed in cancer of the pancreatic head and in ampullary tumours
Distal pancreatectomy	Surgical removal of the body and tail of the pancreas
Liver resection	Surgical removal of the tumour in liver cancer or liver metastases
TACE (transarterial chemoembolisation)	Occlusion of the vessel feeding the tumour in liver cancer together with the delivery of chemotherapy; planned jointly with interventional radiology
Antiviral treatment	Medication protocols that suppress the viral load in hepatitis B and C
Management of cirrhosis	Endoscopic and medical treatment of the complications of portal hypertension (varices, ascites)

Book an appointment with the Academic Hospital Pancreas, Liver and Bile Duct Unit.

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Pancreas, Liver and Bile Duct Diseases at Academic Hospital

At the Academic Hospital Pancreas, Liver and Bile Duct Unit, outpatient assessment, imaging and endoscopic examinations, surgical planning and the long-term follow-up of chronic liver diseases are all carried out under one roof. The unit works routinely with the following departments:

Gastroenterology: medical management and endoscopic follow-up of digestive system diseases
Medical Oncology: systemic treatment of liver and pancreatic cancers
General Surgery: cholecystectomy and pancreatic and liver surgery procedures
Endoscopy: performance of ERCP and endoscopic ultrasonography procedures
Interventional Radiology: TACE and procedures carried out under imaging guidance
Radiology: ultrasonography, computed tomography and MRCP examinations
Infectious Diseases: planning and monitoring of viral hepatitis treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers to the questions most frequently asked about the Pancreas, Liver and Bile Duct Unit are given below.

I have gallstones but no pain; do I definitely need surgery?

The great majority of gallstones that cause no symptoms are managed by observation and follow-up. Even so, the decision is individual and takes into account the size and location of the stone and the patient's general state of health. Ultrasonography performed in the unit shows the situation clearly; in porcelain gallbladder or with large stones over 3 cm, prophylactic surgery is recommended more often.

Can hepatitis C be cured completely?

Yes. With today's direct-acting antiviral medicines, more than ninety per cent of patients with hepatitis C are cured permanently. Treatment usually lasts eight to twelve weeks and serious side effects are uncommon. However, the stage of fibrosis must be assessed before treatment to determine whether cirrhosis has developed; if cirrhosis is present, regular imaging follow-up for liver cancer must be continued after treatment.

Do pancreatic cysts always turn into cancer?

No. The great majority of pancreatic cysts are benign; however, some types of cyst (particularly IPMN) carry malignant potential. Depending on the type, size and growth rate of the cyst, either annual imaging follow-up or surgery is planned. International guidelines recommend intervention in IPMNs above a certain size threshold; our unit assesses these criteria according to the individual characteristics of each patient.

Is the ERCP procedure painful?

ERCP is performed under sedation or general anaesthesia; no pain is felt during the procedure. Mild wind and abdominal discomfort may last for a few hours afterwards. Discharge usually takes place the same day or the following morning. Rare complications include pancreatitis and bleeding; the unit applies standard protocol practices through an experienced team in order to keep these risks to a minimum.

When is a liver biopsy essential?

A biopsy is recommended when the stage of fibrosis determined by Fibroscan does not support the clinical decision, or when autoimmune hepatitis or a rare liver disease is suspected. In many situations Fibroscan removes the need for a biopsy. In the assessment of a liver tumour, radiological criteria rather than biopsy are usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis.

Appointment and Information

444 0 353

Weekdays 08:00-18:00

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References

The general information given on this page about pancreatic, liver and bile duct diseases, diagnostic methods and treatment options is supported by the reliable health sources listed below.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH), "Pancreatitis", niddk.nih.gov
World Health Organization, "Hepatitis C Fact Sheet", who.int
Mayo Clinic, "Gallstones: Symptoms and Causes", mayoclinic.org
National Cancer Institute, "Pancreatic Cancer Treatment (PDQ)", cancer.gov

The information on this page is for informational purposes only; it does not replace medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a healthcare institution regarding your complaints.