Treatment of Pancreatic Cancers

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on how far the disease has progressed.  The most common treatment is the Whipple procedure where the head of the pancreas and the curving portion of the duodenum are removed.  This procedure is done only when the cancer has not metastasized.  If cancer is localized in the tail of the pancrease it can be resected and removed.  Once surgery is completed the patient will undergo chemotherapy treatments.  Radiation therapy is used as well in the United States.