Advances in the Surgical Management of Resectable and Borderline Resectable Pancreas Cancer

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2016 Apr;25(2):287-310. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2015.11.008. Epub 2016 Feb 17.

Abstract

Successful surgical resection offers the only chance for cure in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, pancreatic resection is feasible in less than 20% of the patients. In this review, the current state of surgical management of pancreatic cancer is discussed. The definition of resectability based on cross-sectional imaging and the technical aspects of surgery, including vascular resection and/or reconstruction, management of aberrant vascular anatomy and extent of lymphadenectomy, are appraised. Furthermore, common pancreatic resection-specific postoperative complications and their management are reviewed.

Keywords: Aberrant vascular anatomy; Borderline resectable; Delayed gastric emptying; Lymphadenectomy; Palliation; Pancreatic fistula; Resectability; Vascular resection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / mortality
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pancreas / surgery*
  • Pancreatectomy / methods*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Pancreaticoduodenectomy / methods*