Columbia University Department of Surgery
Columbia University’s Department of Surgery, part of New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center, has evolved over the last 20 years to a sophisticated network of creative alliances. Collaboration with medical and scientific experts at Columbia University and globally, as well as with the biotech industry, has resulted in many "firsts" and enhanced a reputation for
... MoreAnswers (500+)
What is the pancreas?
The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen. It plays an
essential role in converting the food... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
Where is the pancreas located?
The pancreas is located behind the stomach and is surrounded by
other organs including the small... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How does the pancreas control blood sugar?
The endocrine component of the pancreas consists of islet cells
that create and release important... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What is the role of the pancreas in digestion?
The pancreas contains exocrine glands that produce enzymes
important to digestion. When food enters... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What is pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas that occurs
when pancreatic enzyme secretions... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What causes pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis has a range of possible causes, including:•
Gallstones• Alcohol use•... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?
The symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:• Severe, steady pain in
the upper-middle part of... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What are the effects of chronic pancreatitis?
In chronic pancreatitis, there is a decrease in the secretion of
enzymes needed for digestion and... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What is chronic pancreatitis?
Chronic pancreatitis is a relatively rare condition characterized
by progressive, irreversible... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What are the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis?
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include: • Abdominal and/or back
pain• Weight loss... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How does chronic pancreatitis feel?
The most devastating feature of chronic pancreatitis is pain, which
frequently becomes severe... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How does pancreatectomy treat chronic pancreatitis?
The singular goal of total pancreatectomy (removal of the pancreas)
for patients with chronic... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
Is pancreatitis surgery worth the surgically-induced diabetes?
For people whose lives had been transformed by unbearable pain and
narcotic dependence, the... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How can I avoid developing diabetes from pancreatitis surgery?
At NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, an unusual therapeutic option now
enables some patients to... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How does autologous islet transplantation work in pancreatic surgery?
First, the patient's pancreas is surgically removed. Islet of
Langerhans cells (the cellsin the... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What is the benefit of islet transplantation for chronic pancreatitis?
When autologous islet transplantation is successful, the procedure
results in patients... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How often is islet transplantation effective for chronic pancreatitis?
In a third of patients studied, the islet cells do not function as
hoped, and patients become... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
Why is ethnicity a risk factor for pancreatic cancer?
There is higher incidence of pancreatic cancer in Ashkenazi Jews,
probably due to common... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How does cigarette smoking contribute to pancreatic cancer?
About 30% of pancreatic cancer cases are thought to be a direct
result of cigarette smoking.... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How does pancreatitis increase my risk of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. People diagnosed
with chronic pancreatitis... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
How does diabetes increase my risk for pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is two times more likely to occur in people who
have diabetes than in people... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
Is pancreatic cancer related to genes?
Up to 15% of pancreatic cancer is related to a family history of
the disease. The risk of... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is known as a "silent disease" because
identifiable symptoms are not usually... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
When does jaundice develop?
Jaundice occurs when bilirubin, a component of bile, builds up in
your blood. Bilirubin is... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
When is jaundice a symptom of pancreatic cancer?
Jaundice typically occurs in pancreatic cancer when a tumor in the
head of the pancreas first... More >
Answered By: Dr. Beth A. Schrope of Columbia University Department of Surgery
