Surgery is a main treatment for pancreatic cancer, typically suitable only for early diagnoses. If your doctor recommends surgery, the aim is to remove the affected portion of the pancreas and, if needed, nearby organs or tissues to lower the chance of cancer recurrence.
Types of Surgery
The type of surgery you might need depends on the tumor’s location in your pancreas. Your surgical team will work with you to select the best option for your diagnosis and overall health, including how the surgery will be performed. The choice of surgery depends on several factors, such as the tumor’s position, size, stage, and your overall health. Surgeons will carefully assess each case to choose the most appropriate and effective surgical method, whether it is open surgery, laparoscopic, or robotic surgery.
Whipple Procedure
If the cancer is in the head of the pancreas, the most common surgery is the Whipple procedure. There are two versions:
- Standard Whipple: Removes the head of the pancreas, part of the stomach, the gallbladder, the bile duct, and the entire duodenum (the first section of the small intestine).
- Pylorus-Preserving Whipple: Like the Standard Whipple, but keeps the stomach and part of the duodenum intact.
These are complex procedures that require care from experienced surgical teams. After surgery, patients will need time to recover and adjust to how their digestive system works.
Distal Pancreatectomy
If the tumor is in the body or tail of the pancreas, a procedure called a distal pancreatectomy may be recommended. This surgery involves removing the affected part of the pancreas and often includes the spleen and nearby lymph nodes as well.
What to Expect
- Your care team will explain what is involved, including recovery time, pain management and potential side effects.
- Surgery for pancreatic cancer is a major operation and you will need to stay in the hospital afterward. Your health care team will watch for signs of bleeding, infection, or other problems.
- After surgery, follow-up care is important and may include chemotherapy, radiation, or monitoring with scans and blood tests. Healing time differs for everyone but you may feel weak, tired, or need additional support to heal.
- Not all pancreatic cancers are operable right away. Some patients may need other treatments first, such as chemotherapy, to shrink the tumor and make surgery possible later.
- After surgery, your healthcare team will monitor you for digestive issues or abnormal blood sugar levels. A dietitian can help you navigate your diet if you experience discomfort.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Is surgery an option for me?
- What type of procedure would I need to undergo?
- What will my recovery look like?
- Will I need additional treatments before or after surgery?
Surgery for pancreatic cancer is a major step but can be the best chance for long-term survival for some patients. At the Hirshberg Foundation, we’re here to support you every step of the way, before, during, and after treatment.
