Whipple Procedure for Pancreatic Cancer: Things to Know

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer , your doctor might recommend a type of surgery called a Whipple procedure. Also called a pancreatoduodenectomy, this is a highly complex operation that requires a high level of expertise.
Whipple procedures are one of the most common ways to treat pancreatic cancer if it occurs in the head of the pancreas. “Surgery represents the mainstay of treatment for pancreatic cancer,” saidDr. Sanjeev Kumar, a surgical oncologist. “Removing the tumor gives the best chance for successful long-term control of this disease.”
Here’s a look at what a Whipple procedure entails, why it can be risky, and why finding the right surgeon is important.

What is the Whipple procedure?
Whipple procedures are often used to treat tumors in the head or neck of the pancreas that have not spread to other areas of the body. In some cases, patients will undergo chemotherapy or radiation beforehand to shrink the tumor before it’s removed.
The surgery involves making an incision down the middle of the belly. First, the surgeon removes the gallbladder, parts of the small intestine, the bile duct, a portion of the stomach, and also the pancreatic head. The remaining organs are then reattached so food can still be digested.
Whipple procedures are complicated because they involve so many different organs, but that’s not the only reason.
“The pancreas is in a tough spot, deep in the central part of the abdomen,” Dr Sanjeev Kumar explained. “Even though the tumor may be very small, many different organs are encountered to access that area.”

What are the side effects of the Whipple procedure?

Whipple procedures can be lifesaving, but one must also recognize the risks associated with the operation. These can include:

• pancreatic leaks
• infections
• bleeding
• slower digestion or other digestive problems
• weight loss
• changes in bowel habits
• higher risk for diabetes

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat, and the Whipple procedure is the most common surgical option. However, that does not mean that it isn’t a challenging operation where success can heavily rely upon the experience of the surgeon performing it. For those facing pancreatic cancer and considering a Whipple procedure, getting a second opinion, preferably from a surgeon at a high-volume cancer center, is a good idea.

Improving the chance of success
There’s no way to eliminate the risks associated with Whipple procedures—they’re highly intricate operations. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar has vast exposure in the field of Oncology with 15 years of surgical experience. He is among the few oncologists in North India who specialize in Gastro-intestinal oncology, Colon-rectal cancer, Pelvic cancer, Robotic surgery, Advanced Laparoscopic surgery, and HIPEC / PIPAC procedures., like the Whipple, whichis done on a more routine basis with more experienced team certainly lend themselves to better outcomes.” He is a Senior Consultant at Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Manipal HospitalPalamVihar, Sector 6, Dwarka Delhi,

Getting treated at a major cancer center also gives you access to new clinical trials and multidisciplinary care, which can help you achieve the best possible outcome.