Ep. 66 Managing Complications in Pancreatic Cancer with Dr. Zach Berman and Dr. Rebekah White

How do seasoned clinicians navigate the complex web of complications that accompany pancreatic cancer? In this episode of BackTable Tumor Board, Drs. Greg Botta, Rebekah White, and Zachary Berman discuss real-world strategies for managing pain, digestive complications, and the many challenges patients face. They explore multidisciplinary approaches, emphasizing the importance of tailored pain management, careful use of enzyme supplementation, and anticipating both surgical and medical risks, especially after procedures like the Whipple. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps00:00 - Introduction 01:36 - Interventional Radiology Approach to Pain Relief05:37 - Nerve Blocks and Neurolysis for Treatment09:05 - Expectations for Post-operative Recovery10:46 - Whipple Anatomy and Side Effects13:49 - Clot Prevention After Surgery19:11 - Managing Nutritional Challenges and Gastric Outlet Obstruction24:37 - Treating Malignant Ascites29:54 - Mental Health Support for Pancreatic Cancer Patients31:16 - Setting Expectations When Communicating with Patients39:41 - Stent Choices and Sequencing --- More about this episodeThe conversation covers classifying and treating pain (visceral, neuropathic, somatic, and existential), multimodal and non-opiate therapies, and targeted nerve blocks for symptom relief. The doctors address nutrition and cachexia, strategies for managing post-surgical clotting risk, and the use of stents and interventional radiology to restore digestive flow. They also highlight the need for psychosocial support, exercise to combat fatigue, and streamlined team communication for standardized, patient-centered care. The episode wraps up with practical advice on setting patient expectations, troubleshooting persistent symptoms, and leveraging clinical trials and multidisciplinary expertise. --- ResourcesCASSINI Studyhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7476843/ --- BackTable Tumor Board is the go-to multidisciplinary podcast for medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and other healthcare professionals that play an active role in cancer care. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty.► https://www.backtable.com/app