New Techniques, New Hope for Pancreatic Cancer

October 3, 2003

Pancreatic cancer, while accounting for only 3% of all cancers, is the fourth

most frequent cause of cancer deaths. Thus far, treatment options have been

limited, and not without risk, with the Whipple procedure as the mainstay of

surgical treatment of tumors located in the head of the pancreas. Now at a

handful of centers in the U.S., such as Yale, more effective diagnostic tests

and risk lowering surgical techniques are being introduced. According to Dana K.

Andersen, M.D., and Professor of Surgery and Chief of Yale’s Section on

Gastroenterologic Surgery, " These new diagnostic and treatment options meet our

goal of bringing to the forefront options to increase survival, decrease risk

and improve quality of life. "

New Surgical Methods – Less Risk

The new Beger procedure, which removes the head of the pancreas but spares the

duodenum and bile duct, is one of these breakthroughs. Developed in Europe, the

procedure is now performed by a few U.S. surgeons who have experience in this

tissue sparing procedure. " I think an accurate analogy is the risk and

invasiveness of radical mastectomy versus lumpectomy. With our use of the Beger

procedure for low-level malignancies or premalignant lesions, we can be more

surgically conservative while being more clinically effective, " explained Dr.

Andersen.

Advanced Diagnostics

Preoperative endoscopic ultrasound is used so that lymph nodes are located and

biopsies taken less invasively, which allows better advanced scouting. The Yale

team then uses laparoscopic surgical techniques to more accurately diagnose and

stage pancreatic cancer. " When pancreatic cancer is advanced, we do not want to

put the patient through an operation that may lower quality of life. Only when

the tumor is found to be potentially curable is a Whipple or other resection

embarked upon, " explained Neal Seymour, M.D., Yale gastroenterologic surgeon.

Multidisciplinary Action

Yale’s approach to cancer of the digestive system is multidisciplinary. " We work

hand-in-hand with our gastroenterologists, interventional radiologists, and

oncologists to maximize diagnostic and treatment options for our patients, " Dr.

Andersen said. " The bottom line is that these techniques are safer, and with a

disease such as pancreatic cancer, new hope for a longer, higher quality of life

is essential, " added Dr. Andersen. To contact Dana Andersen, M.D. or Neal

Seymour, M.D., call .

Mark E. Armstrong

NW Rep, PAI

casca@...

Recommended Posts