Extended radical pancreatectomy for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, which is, in part due, to the unfortunately advanced stage, in which the tumor is diagnosed. Since 1973, we have utilized a unique method of extended radical pancreatectomy, using the translateral retroperitoneal approach (TRA) to facilitate combined portal resection. The advantages of this operation are described herein, for patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. In addition, the problems associated with this operation are discussed. METHODOLOGY: Survival was calculated based on type of resection, degree of invasion of the retroperitoneal tissues, degree of lymph node involvement, and cancer stage. Extensive surgery has been performed for pancreatic carcinoma 216 patients. Of these, 14 patients had carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. There were 58 patients who underwent macroscopically curative resections. RESULTS: Only 39 patients were microscopically curative. Ten of the patients who underwent microscopically curative resections, survived for 5 years (34.0%). There were no statistically significant differences in survival based on tumor size. However, there was a significant difference in survival based on extent of invasion of the anterior capsule of the pancreas, extent of invasion of the retroperitoneal tissue, extent of lymph node involvement, cancer stage, and extent of invasion at the surgical margin of resection. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that extended radical pancreatectomy may be indicated for the treatment of cancer of the head of the pancreas.