Hepatopancreatic biliary (HPB) Cancer Team

Welcome to Addenbrooke’s Oncology Department. You have been referred to the hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) cancer team here at Addenbrooke’s for specialist treatment and follow-up.

Who is in the team?

The following people are in the team:

• Dr Pippa Corrie - Consultant medical oncologist
• Dr Bristi Basu - Honorary consultant medical oncologist
• Dr Philip Earwaker - Consultant medical oncologist
• Dr Nisarg Pipalia - Consultant clinical oncologist
• Dr Kiran Purushothaman - Consultant clinical oncologist
• Abigail Redman - Clinical nurse specialist
• Bushra Faryad - Specialist support nurse
• Jo Calder - Research nurse
• Katharine Smith - Research nurse
• Jo Mayhew - Research nurse
• Laura McGeeney and Rhianydd Jones - Specialist pancreatic dietitians
  • Margaret Abedi - Clinic health care assistant
  • Emma Beresford-Carling - Cancer navigator

We work closely with HPB surgeons and other specialist teams involved in diagnosis and treatment of HPB cancers.

Our clinic is called the HPB oncology clinic, to distinguish it from the HPB surgical clinic. ‘Oncology’ is another word which means ‘Cancer’.

What happens at clinic?

The HPB oncology outpatient clinic is held in the Oncology Centre, located on level 2, on a Tuesday afternoon, 13.30 - 17.30pm. This is attended by all the team members listed above and may also include junior (trainee) doctors as well as student nurses, doctors and dietitians. The clinic is for people with a new cancer diagnosis, patients receiving cancer treatment, as well as patients who have completed treatment and are being followed up.

Your appointment may be held in a variety of ways. We aim to see most new patients in person, particularly if starting anti-cancer treatment. Routine appointments may be by telephone or video-link. Before the appointment you may be required to have some blood tests. These may be done at Addenbrooke’s hospital, at our facility based at the Newmarket Road Park & Ride, or occasionally closer to home (local hospital or GP surgery), if feasible.

When attending clinic for the first time, it is good to bring someone with you, as you may feel anxious, or find that there is lots of information to understand. Please write down any questions you may have and bring them with you. You may find it helpful to watch our ‘Welcome to Cancer Services’ film on the CUH website for more practical information.

Our aim is to provide you with information about your condition and access to the best treatment for it. This may involve anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy) or radiotherapy, as well as other supportive measures that may be of benefit.

Our hospital is a major cancer research centre involved in developing new treatments aimed at improving outcomes, so you may be offered the opportunity to take part in a research study, or clinical trial, which may benefit you, as well as future generations. Taking part in research is voluntary - a national audit showed that most patients like to be asked about research opportunities even if they don’t always choose to take up the offer.

There will be a pancreatic cancer dietitian present during each of the HPB outpatient clinics. Your doctor or specialist nurse may suggest you have a review with them while you are at the clinic, or the dietician may call you at a later date. If they do not suggest this and you feel you would benefit from seeing a dietitian, then please ask your doctor or nurse to refer you.

If you feel you are having difficulty eating as you usually do, you have lost weight or notice a change in your bowel habit please mention this to your doctor or nurse.

A cancer navigator may also be present or contact you shortly after via telephone. They can support you with accessing psychosocial and practical information, such as financial and emotional support throughout your time with us.

Who do I contact?

You will be given the name of the most appropriate person to contact if you have any queries. This will depend on what treatment is being offered.

Some key contact numbers are provided below:

The above telephone numbers are for non-urgent enquiries. Most telephones have an answer machine for non-urgent enquiries if someone is unable to answer the call directly. The answer machine is checked regularly throughout the day.

Please feel free to contact Abigail Redman and Bushra Faryad if you have any questions relating to your diagnosis, treatment, or any other issues of concern.

In an emergency and/or weekends please contact the Oncology 24hr helpline number: 01223 274224

Follow-up after completion of treatment

After your treatment has finished, you may continue to have regular check-ups. If you travel a long way, this may be more appropriate at a hospital closer to your home. Some patients may be discharged back to the surgical team for ongoing follow-up.

Follow-up often includes up-to-date blood tests and a scan done a few weeks before the clinic appointment. Waiting for a scan result can be an anxious time. We try to see people as soon as we can after the scan, but it is important to make sure the scan is properly reviewed and reported by a specialist radiologist, so we do ask for your patience. Please check the scan date you have been given is BEFORE the follow-up clinic appointment. If not, please call your CNS to check the arrangements.

At follow-up appointments, you will be asked about your general health and well-being and if you have symptoms that you are concerned about. If you are worried, or notice any new symptoms between appointments, you can let us know as soon as possible. You don’t have to wait until your next appointment.

When should I see my GP?

Your GP oversees your overall care. At each hospital clinic appointment, a letter is written and sent to your GP so that s/he is fully informed of your progress and a copy of this letter will be provided to you too, unless you do not wish to receive one (please tell your doctor or nurse if this is the case). You can also choose to receive information including your clinic letters electronically, via ‘My Chart’. Please ask about this option if you are not already aware or sign up to MyChart (opens in a new tab) online on the Addenbrooke’s website under ‘MyChart’.

We encourage you to make an appointment to see your GP when you are first diagnosed with cancer, as they can provide additional support for you in the community both during and after treatment. Your Navigator can assist with this, and happy to liaise if necessary.

The GP team also links with the community palliative care team, which can provide help with symptoms as well as hospice at home services, if needed.

Please seek advice from your GP for all aspects of your care other than those directly related to your cancer. If the GP is concerned about your symptoms, s/he can contact us for further advice.

Please remember, if you have any worries/concerns about your cancer, we recommend that you phone us first, to seek advice or support.

Other useful information

Macmillan CUH Cancer Support Service

Located in Oncology Outpatients, L2

Drop in Monday-Friday, 08:30-16:00

Telephone: 01223 274801

Providing support and signposting to patients and families

Email Macmillan CUH Cancer Support Service

CUH - Cancer Services

Maggie's Cambridge

21 Milton House, Addenbrooke's Hospital

Puddicombe Way, CB2 0AD

Monday to Friday 0900 - 1700

01223 249220

Email Maggie's Cambridge

HPB support group- 4th Wednesday of the month at 2.15pm. For more information, please contact your Navigator

Pancreatic Cancer UK

Support and information for you and your family.

Pancreatic Cancer UK (opens in a new tab)

British Liver Trust

Information and support for you and your family.

British Liver Trust (opens in a new tab)

Liver Cancer UK

Online information and support for you and your family

Liver Cancer UK (opens in a new tab)

Cancer Care Map

Online resource that aims to help you find cancer support services in your local area.

Cancer Care Map (opens in a new tab)