MUSC named center of excellence for pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer

Fighting pancreatic disease takes more than one kind of expertise – and at MUSC Health and MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, it’s all found under one roof. Surgeons, oncologists and researchers work side by side to deliver the most advanced and comprehensive care available.

That care was recently recognized by the National Pancreas Foundation. The foundation redesignated MUSC Health as a Center of Excellence for pancreatitis and, for the first time, designated MUSC Hollings Cancer Center as a Center of Excellence for pancreatic cancer.

They are the only centers of excellence for these conditions in the state of South Carolina.

“It’s a great honor to be able to continue this recognition by the NPF for our pancreatitis program, but also now, to be recognized for the comprehensive, multidisciplinary care that we provide to pancreatic cancer patients is incredibly rewarding,” said Kevin Roggin, M.D., chief of surgical oncology, who cares for people with pancreatic diseases.

The designations can help patients to feel comfortable choosing MUSC, he said.

The National Pancreas Foundation has designated 189 Centers of Excellence through a review process that not only looks at the level of specialty care but also the options for pain management, psychosocial support and other patient-centered options.

“We are thrilled to expand our NPF Centers of Excellence Program to better serve the needs of patients suffering from pancreas disease,” said Jenny Pagel-Guile, executive director of the National Pancreas Foundation. “The NPF Centers of Excellence Program is one of the pillars of NPF, and we are looking forward to working with our current and new centers.”

MUSC has a robust research program focused on pancreatic diseases in addition to clinical care, and the two often work together to improve care.

For example, MUSC Health already has one of the largest programs for total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) – an operation that removes a diseased pancreas, isolates the patient’s own islet cells from the pancreas and then re-implants the islet cells into the liver so that the body can continue to produce its own insulin.

Hongjun Wang, Ph.D., co-scientific director of the MUSC Center for Cellular Therapy, oversees the process of isolating the islet cells.

She’s also involved in research to improve the process. Typically, about half of the transplanted islet cells die within a few days of surgery because of the stress of islet isolation and transplantation, she said. Her research has led to a clinical trial to transplant bone marrow stem cells, along with islet cells, as a protective factor for the transplanted islets.

Other trials focus on chronic pain.

“We now have two more clinical trials to treat chronic pancreatitis pain,” she said. “Chronic pain is the most debilitating aspect of this disease – patients often describe it as the worst pain one can encounter in life. So the clinical trials are targeting pain specifically.”

When it comes to cancer, Hollings incorporates basic science research, clinical trials and the most up-to-date medical care to offer patients comprehensive services.

Last year, Roggin led the implementation of a Next Day Access clinic for people newly diagnosed with non-metastatic pancreatic cancer. The goal is for patients facing a formidable diagnosis to be able to talk to a surgeon and begin treatment as soon as possible.

Hollings also has a longstanding relationship with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), including hosting the Talbot Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Reception every November.

Roggin said that the additional honor from the National Pancreas Foundation reinforces Hollings’ reputation as a trusted national leader in pancreatic care.

“We’re continuing to be recognized based on our outstanding multidisciplinary care and treatment for pancreatic cancer,” he said. “MUSC is a destination for all types of pancreatic disease care, including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.”