The pancreas is one of the organs with vital functions in the body. Pancreatic cancer occurs as a result of the proliferation of malignant tumors in the organ. The disease usually progresses without symptoms due to the location of the pancreas. By the time symptoms appear, the disease has already spread.

Different symptoms such as jaundice, stomach pain, weight loss, change in urine color can be seen. People with a family history of pancreatic cancer, smokers, those with an unhealthy diet, and people with obesity are more likely to get the disease. In these people, the disease can be diagnosed in the early period as a result of regular physician control and check-ups to be made at regular intervals.

Pancreas; Since the duodenum is located in a location with bile ducts and many vessels, a difficult surgical operation awaits patients in case of spread of cancerous tissues. Intervention in pancreatic cancer differs according to the spread of the disease. Applied methods; Whipple calls distal pancreatectomy a total pancreatectomy .

How is Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Performed?

Pancreatic cancer is one of the diseases that require surgical intervention. After the surgical procedure, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also applied to the patient. As in other types of cancer, it is not enough to clean the tumorous area alone. Different organs such as spleen and gallbladder also need to be removed. In the pancreatic cancer surgery performed with the Whipple method, some of the tissues are removed; stomach, pancreas and bile duct. The gallbladder is completely removed. In the distal pancreatectomy method, a part of the tail and body of the pancreas, as well as the spleen, should be removed. In a total pancreatectomy operation, the spleen and pancreas are removed as a whole.

Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Risks

There are risks such as bleeding, infection and leakage after surgery. At the same time, the occurrence of certain diseases may also occur. Diabetes develops when part or all of the pancreas, which produces insulin, is removed. Therefore, the patient needs to use insulin medication. When the spleen is removed, the patient becomes vulnerable to infections. A number of vaccinations should be given to the patient to provide the necessary protection. Since pancreatic cancer surgery is a very difficult operation, it should be performed in hospitals with sufficient technical equipment and by specialist physicians. Surgeon General Op. Dr. Özhan Çetindağ informs you about all risks before and after the surgery.