Sunday, April 25, 2010

Masses and Tumors Involving the Pancreas

Masses can be described based on their physical characteristics, as defined by imaging studies, as:

1. solid (consisting of solid abnormal tissue) or
2. cystic (filled with mucus or fluid).

Masses can also further be described based on their aggressiveness usually based on imaging and examination of their cells under the microscope as:

1. benign (no potential for turning into cancer)
2. premalignant (some potential to turning into cancer) and
3. malignant (cancer).


Pancreatic Cancer Blog » Blog Archive » Masses and Tumors Involving the Pancreas

Pancreatic surgery - Organ preservation

Preservation of pancreatic tissue is an important goal during surgery for pancreatic and biliary diseases to reduce the risks of loss of pancreatic tissue. During the Whipple operation, organs that play a vital role in digestive function are often removed. The organs removed include part of the pancreas and bile duct, and all of the duodenum. The duodenum appears to play an important role in regulating the motility of the stomach and the upper gastrointestinal tract. It is thought that partial or complete loss of the duodenum is responsible for the delay in emptying of the stomach that often occurs after the Whipple operation.

Pancreatic surgery for pancreatic tumors

Surgical operations on the pancreas

For malignant tumors affecting the duodenum, head of pancreas, and the distal (bottom end) of the bile duct, the Whipple operation is the standard of care and the procedure of choice. The Whipple operation is also frequently performed for benign (non-cancerous) disorders that affect the bottom end of the bile duct, duodenum, or head of pancreas. While in some patients the extent or nature of disease may require a Whipple operation, alternate procedures that preserve some of the organs removed during the standard whipple operation may be an option in other patients.


Surgical operations on the pancreas

Cystic tumors of the pancreas

Cystic tumors of the pancreas

Surgery for chronic pancreatitis

Surgery for chronic pancreatitis

USC treatment for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Diagnosis, staging and treatment for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

http://www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions/tumor/pancreasdiseases/web%20pages/pancreas%20cancer/cystic%20tumors.html

Pancreatic surgery for pancreatic tumors

Pancreatic surgery for pancreatic tumors