I have a pancreatic tumour,can the tumour alone be removed or the whole pancreas has to be removed?

Question

Hello Doctor,

I have a pancreatic tumour, diagnosed as low grade malignant tumour of the size of 1.2cm in the pancreas. Three months ago it was 1.0 cm in size. It is not a cyst. CT contrast shows a solid mass. The PET scan has been advised when my pancreas is healed, as it is inflamed now.

I have a question to the surgery of such a tumour, if necessary. Can the tumour alone be removed or the whole pancreas has to be removed? In general I would like your opinion about such a procedure.

Regards.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, if it is a pancreatic mass, then only cure at present is surgical removal of the tumour.

It is a major surgery.

Surgery depends on the location of the tumour.

If tumour is localized to the head of the pancreas, then surgery is called pancreaticoduodenectomy.

In this surgical procedure, the head of pancreas and part of small intestine and bile duct are removed and remaining pancreas, bile duct and stomach are reconnected to pancreas.

It has good prognosis if done by an experienced surgeon.

If tumour is located in the body and tail of pancreas, then that part of pancreas is removed.

Removal of entire pancreas is rarely necessary.

If surgery is done on time we can offer cure.

I would like to see all your reports to advise further.

Mostly you require early surgery.

PET scans are sometimes not reliable in such kind of situations.

Revert back to a surgical oncologist online for further queries regarding surgical removal of the tumour --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/surgical-oncologist

I have a pancreatic tumour,can the tumour alone be removed or the whole pancreas has to be removed?

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