When is Pancreatic Tumor Removal Needed?
To determine the appropriate treatment method, a comprehensive examination is required. If a benign hormonal tumor or cyst is detected, doctors may monitor the patient. The diagnosis of "Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma" in 100% of cases requires surgical intervention. The cancer is highly aggressive and asymptomatic in its early stages, making early diagnosis and treatment challenging. Only in cases of advanced-stage cancer with multiple metastases and severe general condition, the removal of the tumor may not be performed.
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The choice of surgical procedure is determined by several key factors: the location of the tumor, its size, the extent of its spread, and the patient's overall health. Tumors in the tail of the pancreas are treated with a distal pancreatectomy, tumors affecting the head with a Whipple procedure, and extensive spread with a total pancreatectomy. For operable early-stage cancer, surgery is performed primarily laparoscopically. Seeking medical attention promptly is important, as the symptoms of pancreatic cancer often appear only in the later stages of the disease.
After a laparoscopic resection of part of the pancreas, the patient typically stays at Helios Medical Center for up to 5 days. After a Whipple procedure or a total pancreatectomy, the hospital stay is longer — on average 10–14 days. Throughout the entire inpatient period, the patient is monitored by physicians and receives the necessary medication support. The cost of pancreatic cancer treatment can be clarified during a consultation with an oncological surgeon. Appointments can be booked by phone at 067 000 01 50 or through the online form on the website.
After surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer, regular visits to an oncologist are essential. As a rule, follow-up examinations are performed every 3 months during the first year, and every 6 months thereafter. The standard protocol includes computed tomography, laboratory tests, and measurement of tumor marker levels. The frequency of monitoring is determined by the treating physician based on the stage of the disease and the extent of the surgery performed.
The operability of recurrent pancreatic cancer is assessed based on the findings of the examination: the location and extent of the process, the patient's health, and the time that has passed since the first surgery. In some cases, repeat surgery is both possible and appropriate. In other situations, chemotherapy or targeted therapy is preferred. The oncological surgeons at Helios Medical Center review each case of recurrence individually and recommend the optimal treatment approach.
