Question

How is pancreatic cancer surgery described?

Answer 1

• Since surgery has risks, doctors first determine whether pancreatic cancer appears to be removable by surgery, or resectable. Pancreatic cancer is then described as follows: Resectable: On imaging tests, pancreatic cancer hasn't spread (or hasn't spread very far), and a surgeon feels it might all be removable. About 10% of pancreatic cancers are considered resectable when first diagnosed.
• Locally advanced (unresectable): Pancreatic cancer has grown into major blood vessels on imaging tests, so the tumor can't safely be removed by surgery.
• Metastatic: Pancreatic cancer has clearly spread to other organs, so surgery cannot remove the cancer.