Surgical oncology
Pancreatic cancer surgery
A major operation, offered only where imaging shows the tumour can be removed completely. Careful staging is what decides that.
In plain language
What this operation is
The pancreas sits deep in the abdomen, surrounded by major blood vessels. That anatomy is why pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect early and why surgery is only possible in a proportion of cases — the tumour must not involve those vessels.
Common presenting features are painless yellowing of the eyes and skin, upper abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, or new diabetes in an older patient.
Where the tumour is in the head of the pancreas, the operation is a Whipple procedure, which removes the head of the pancreas along with parts of the bile duct, duodenum and sometimes the stomach, then reconstructs the connections. It is one of the largest abdominal operations performed.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- Painless jaundice — yellowing of the eyes or skin without pain
- Upper abdominal or back pain with weight loss
- A pancreatic mass on CT or MRI
- New-onset diabetes in an older patient with weight loss
And when it is not. Surgery is only appropriate where the tumour can be removed completely. Where imaging shows involvement of major vessels or spread elsewhere, chemotherapy — sometimes followed by reassessment — is the correct route, and saying so honestly matters more than operating.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
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02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
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03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
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04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- This is major surgery and hospital stay reflects that.
- Eating is reintroduced gradually, with dietitian support.
- Pancreatic enzyme supplements are often needed to digest food afterwards.
- Blood sugar may need monitoring and treatment after surgery.
When to go to hospital instead
Fever with jaundice, severe abdominal pain, or vomiting that will not stop needs emergency assessment.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 Is pancreatic cancer always inoperable?
No, but surgery is only possible in a proportion of cases — where imaging shows the tumour has not involved the major blood vessels around the pancreas and has not spread. That is exactly what staging establishes.
Operability02 What is a Whipple operation?
It removes the head of the pancreas along with parts of the bile duct, duodenum and sometimes the stomach, then reconstructs the connections so digestion can continue. It is a large operation with a longer recovery than most abdominal surgery.
The operation03 Why did I turn yellow without any pain?
A tumour in the head of the pancreas can block the bile duct, which causes painless jaundice. That is why painless yellowing in an adult should always be investigated rather than watched.
JaundiceNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.