Pancreatic Cancer - Prognosis and Treatment

Dr. Rajiv Datta, an experienced head and neck surgeon, delivers leading-edge cancer care to patients at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Valley Stream, New York, where he serves as chairman of the Department of Surgery. In this capacity, Dr. Rajiv Datta performs surgeries to address some of the most difficult cancers, including those of the pancreas. 



The pancreas lies near the stomach and plays a key role in digestion, secreting chemicals that break down foods and regulate blood sugar. Sometimes, pancreatic cells mutate in such a way that they multiply out of control, giving rise to pancreatic cancer. Due to its location near so many other organs, pancreatic cancer also tends to spread fast. 



In its early stages, pancreatic cancer causes subtle symptoms, meaning it is difficult to diagnose when it is most treatable. By the time doctors do discover it, the cancer has often progressed into stages harder to successfully address. 

The prognosis for patients with later stage pancreatic cancer may be poor. Statistic indicate that the condition has a five-year survival rate of roughly seven percent. 



Treatment options for pancreatic tumors focus largely on surgery to excise the cancer and the surrounding tissues that harbor it. In fact, this surgical method has special name, the “Whipple procedure.” It is a technically difficult surgery that involves removal of the pancreas’ head as well as the removal of parts of other organs like the small intestine and bile duct.