CURATIVE TREATMENT FOR PANCREATIC NEOPLASMS

The 5-year survival rate following the Whipple resection for pancreatic cancer is still only 10%. There is some evidence, especially from Japan, that more extensive resections than are commonly done with the standard Whipple operation may prolong survival. Many of the published series that compare the two operations, however, are retrospective and uncontrolled for the stage of disease. Such comparisons, therefore, are unjustified. Before any modification of the standard pancreaticoduodenectomy is adopted, an appropriately designed study should be performed to confirm its efficacy.