Palliative operations for unresectable pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Although resection can provide long-term survival approaching 20 %, only 20-30 % of newly diagnosed cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma are amenable to surgical resection and over 50 % of patients have distant disease at presentation. Knowledge of the various palliative operative and non-operative procedures is therefore critical in the multidisciplinary treatment of this disease. Palliative care for pancreas cancer encompasses a large number of medical, procedural, and surgical interventions that have evolved over the years. There are several surgical interventions available; some prophylactic and others designed for symptomatic relief. It is important to understand their benefits, applicability, and outcomes when compared to less invasive procedures.