Professor Wu Wenming: Pancreatic, Gastrointestinal and Robotic Surgery Specialist
Professor Wu Wenming is Vice President of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), a chief physician, professor, and doctoral supervisor in general surgery. His clinical work covers pancreatic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, endocrine surgery, bariatric and metabolic surgery, and selected robotic procedures.
He has particular academic expertise in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, including insulinoma and non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
For an overview of the hospital, see our Peking Union Medical College Hospital international patient guide. Patients researching pancreatic cancer and cystic tumors can also read our profile of Professor Zhao Yupei.
Clinical Specialties
Professor Wu’s principal areas include:
- pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors;
- insulinoma and other functional pancreatic tumors;
- non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors;
- pancreatic surgery;
- gastrointestinal surgery;
- endocrine surgery;
- bariatric and metabolic surgery;
- robot-assisted surgery in selected cases; and
- second opinions on complex abdominal surgery.
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors arise from hormone-producing cells and differ from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in biology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Some release hormones and produce a recognizable syndrome, while others do not cause hormone-related symptoms.
Diagnosis and treatment planning may require hormone testing, pancreas-protocol CT or MRI, endoscopic ultrasound, somatostatin-receptor imaging, pathology, and tumor grading. The approach depends on tumor size, location, hormone production, growth, grade, spread, and relationship to the pancreatic duct and major blood vessels.
Insulinoma
Insulinoma is a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor that produces excessive insulin. It can cause episodes of low blood glucose, with sweating, tremor, hunger, confusion, abnormal behavior, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Symptoms may occur during fasting, exercise, or overnight.
Biochemical confirmation should generally come before localization imaging. Once the diagnosis is established, imaging is used to find the tumor and guide surgical planning.
Professor Wu’s research includes the genetic characteristics of insulinomas and the features associated with metastatic disease. Surgery may involve enucleation or pancreatic resection, depending on tumor location, size, duct proximity, and suspicion of malignancy.
Non-Functional Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Non-functional tumors do not produce a recognizable hormone syndrome and may be discovered incidentally. Small, low-risk tumors may sometimes be monitored, while others require surgery or systemic treatment.
Professor Wu has contributed to whole-genome research showing distinct genetic characteristics in insulinomas and non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Molecular findings may improve classification, but routine treatment decisions still rely heavily on clinical, imaging, and pathology features.
Pancreatic and Gastrointestinal Surgery
Professor Wu also treats complex pancreatic and gastrointestinal conditions requiring surgical assessment. Depending on the diagnosis, procedures may include tumor removal, partial organ resection, lymph-node assessment, reconstruction, or another individualized approach.
Before major abdominal surgery, the team may assess nutrition, heart and lung health, glucose control, blood-clot risk, previous operations, and the patient’s ability to recover. Multidisciplinary review can involve surgery, oncology, gastroenterology, radiology, pathology, anesthesia, and nutrition.
Robotic Surgery
Robot-assisted surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery in which the surgeon controls specialized instruments from a console. It can offer precise movement and enhanced visualization in selected operations.
Robotic surgery is not automatically better for every patient. Suitability depends on diagnosis, anatomy, previous surgery, tumor extent, expected complexity, surgeon experience, equipment availability, and cost. Open or conventional laparoscopic surgery may remain the safer choice in some cases.
Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
Bariatric and metabolic surgery may be considered for selected patients with severe obesity and related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, or high blood pressure.
Evaluation should include nutrition, endocrinology, psychological readiness, surgical risk, previous weight-management attempts, and the ability to follow long-term vitamin and medical monitoring. Surgery is a tool within long-term treatment, not a stand-alone cure.
Research and Academic Contributions
Professor Wu’s representative research includes whole-genome analysis comparing insulinomas with non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and investigation of the clinical and genetic characteristics of metastatic insulinoma.
He has published with multidisciplinary teams in major journals covering gastroenterology, cancer biology, and translational medicine. Research findings may guide future classification and treatment but do not guarantee that molecular testing will change care for every patient.
Who May Consider a Consultation?
A consultation with Professor Wu or the PUMCH surgical team may be worth considering when a patient:
- has a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor;
- has confirmed or suspected insulinoma;
- has recurrent unexplained hypoglycemia;
- has a non-functional pancreatic tumor requiring a decision between surveillance and surgery;
- needs a second opinion before pancreatic or gastrointestinal surgery;
- wants to know whether minimally invasive or robotic surgery is feasible;
- has recurrent or metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine disease; or
- needs multidisciplinary review of imaging and pathology.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients should prepare:
- a concise medical summary and chronological treatment history;
- pancreas-protocol CT, MRI, MRCP, PET-CT, or receptor-imaging studies in original DICOM format;
- endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy reports;
- pathology reports, glass slides, paraffin blocks, and tumor-grade information;
- glucose, insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin, and related fasting-test results for suspected insulinoma;
- other hormone and tumor-marker results when relevant;
- operative notes and discharge summaries from previous abdominal surgery;
- molecular or genetic test results;
- a complete medication list and nutritional assessment; and
- a clear list of questions about diagnosis, surgery, surveillance, and recovery.
Original imaging is especially important because treatment decisions depend on the tumor’s precise location and relationship to the pancreatic duct and blood vessels.
Planning an International Consultation
Appointments with senior specialists may be limited. Before traveling, patients should confirm whether imaging and pathology can be reviewed, whether an in-person examination is required, and which tests may need to be repeated in Beijing.
Remote medical-record review is subject to physician authorization. It may help clarify whether a surgical consultation is appropriate, but final procedure selection and cost require full clinical assessment.
How CMCS Can Assist
CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing and translating medical records, imaging, and pathology materials; identifying an appropriate specialist; requesting appointment availability; arranging interpretation; and planning medical travel in China.
Access to Professor Wu, remote review, robotic surgery, or any particular treatment is subject to the doctor’s and hospital’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, procedure type, or clinical outcomes.
For assistance, contact CMCS:
- Email: contract@medicalsh.com
- WhatsApp: Contact us on WhatsApp
- Website: www.medicalsh.com
Important Note
Doctor titles, clinical roles, research activities, procedure availability, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information before travel. This profile is based on publicly available hospital and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified surgeon.
0 comments