|
|
 |
|
|
|
Types of Cancer > Pancreatic Cancer > Management of Pancreatic Cancer
|
|
| Surgery For Cancer of The Pancreas |
|
|
Introduction |
|
|
Cancer of the pancreas is currently the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. In fact, it is associated with the lowest survival rate of any cancer. Why is it such a fatal disease? When it is diagnosed, the cancer is usually in the late stages, meaning that it has already spread to various organs of the body. This makes complete cure extremely difficult. Only 15 to 20% of patients with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed early enough so that the cancer is still confined to the pancreas. For these patients, surgical resection (removal) of the cancer is the best option for treatment. The good news is that while pancreatic resection was formerly associated with a high rate of complications and even death, it has evolved into a much safer procedure. This article will focus on the surgical treatment of patients with potentially curable pancreatic cancer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Reviewer: | Jiade J. Lu, MD
Diplomate, American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncology) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
