Surgery For Pancreatic Cancer

Surgery For Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer of the pancreas is considered one of the lethal cancers due to its tendency for remaining asymptomatic till it reaches an advanced stage. Again, complete surgical removal of the tumor provides the only hope for long-term survival. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy is added to the treatment depending on the stage of the disease. Cancer of the pancreas usually occurs in the head region of the pancreas. The surgery for this type of pancreatic cancer is called "Whipple's procedure". It can be done both by open and laparoscopic techniques. There are other cancers of the pancreas such as cystic tumors and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. With experience, the results of pancreatic surgery are now excellent.