Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

• Published in: The Surgical clinics of North America Vol. 90; no. 2; pp. 219 - 234
• Main Author: Orr, Richard K., MD, MPH
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-04-2010
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - mortality; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adenocarcinoma - surgery; Complications; Humans; Laparoscopy; Mortality; Outcomes; Pancreatectomy - adverse effects; Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatic Neoplasms - mortality; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Pancreatic Neoplasms - surgery; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Complications; Pancreatic cancer; Mortality; Outcomes
• ISSN: 0039-6109; 1558-3171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2009.12.007

The increase in surgery for pancreatic cancer during the last 3 decades can be correlated with a gradual decline in operative mortality and postoperative complications. Although not all surgeons (nor all hospitals) can have equal outcomes, the definition and tabulation of these outcomes have been difficult. This article asks several pertinent questions: (1) what is the scientific rationale for pancreatic resection? (2) what are the best available results at this time? (3) who should be performing pancreatic resections? The article analyzes results of resection for adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas, and excludes duodenal and ampullary cancers, pancreatic endocrine tumors, and tumors of less malignant potential.