The Whipple procedure, first performed by Professor Allen Whipple and named after him, is used particularly for cancers of the pancreatic head, the duodenum, and the bile duct. Since all of these structures are located in the same region, the same surgical technique is applied.
In this surgery, the head of the pancreas and the duodenum are removed together, which means that three essential pathways required for digestion are eliminated. At this point, when the duodenum and the pancreatic head are removed in the Whipple procedure, three new pathways must be reconstructed for digestion. During the operation, the small intestine is brought up to the area where the duodenum was cut. New connections are then created between the intestinal system and the pancreas, the bile duct, and the stomach, allowing the patient to return to a functional digestive system.
What surgical methods can be used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer?
In pancreatic cancer surgery, laparoscopic, robotic, or open surgical techniques can be used. The choice of method is determined by the surgeon based on the location and stage of the cancer.
How can a person live without the pancreas after a Whipple surgery?
When the pancreas is completely removed, its two main functions must be supported from the outside. The first of these functions is the production of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. When the pancreas is entirely removed, patients must receive insulin externally.
Its second function is producing enzymes required for digestion. After the surgery, patients overcome the lack of digestive enzymes by taking enzyme tablets with meals.
What is the recovery process like after a Whipple surgery?
In this surgery, the head of the pancreas and the duodenum are removed together, which means that three essential pathways for digestion are eliminated. For this reason, when the duodenum and the pancreatic head are removed during the Whipple procedure, three new pathways must be reconstructed for digestion. During the operation, the small intestine is brought up to the area where the duodenum was cut. New connections are then created between the intestinal system and the pancreas, the bile duct, and the stomach, allowing the patient to regain a functional digestive system.
What is the neoadjuvant treatment process applied to shrink the tumor?
The treatment process in pancreatic cancer is a team effort, and the patient is a very important part of this team. The multidisciplinary treatment approach is explained to the patient in detail. For patients whose tumors cannot be surgically removed at the initial stage due to the tumor’s location and stage, neoadjuvant therapy is applied thanks to recent medical advancements. With this treatment, the tumor is first reduced in size and then made suitable for surgical removal.
In neoadjuvant treatment, patients first receive chemotherapy. In cases where there is significant vascular involvement, radiation therapy is also added to the treatment plan. In cases where only chemotherapy is administered, patients generally become eligible for surgery after 2.5 to 3 months of treatment; however, when radiation therapy is given alongside chemotherapy, the process may take a bit longer.