The surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer depends upon the site and extent of the tumour and in particular the experience of the surgeon, as pancreatic resection performed outside specialized centres carries a high risk. Within the specialized unit the Whipple operation is the treatment of choice for periampullary carcinomas, but the results of resection for more extensive tumours of the pancreatic head are disappointing even with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Resection, however, provides the only prospect of cure and may be the best palliative procedure. The place of total and "regional" pancreatectomy is undecided. The choice of palliative operations to relieve malignant biliary, duodenal and pancreatic duct obstruction should be carefully considered to avoid early recurrence of symptoms. The prognosis for patients with cancer of the body of the pancreas remains poor.
胰腺癌的外科治疗取决于肿瘤的部位和范围，尤其是外科医生的经验，因为在非专业中心进行胰腺切除术风险很高。在专业单位内，惠普尔手术是壶腹周围癌的首选治疗方法，但即使采用辅助化疗和放疗，对胰腺头部更广泛肿瘤的切除结果也令人失望。然而，手术切除是唯一的治愈希望，也可能是最佳的姑息治疗方法。全胰腺切除术和“区域性”胰腺切除术的地位尚未确定。应仔细考虑选择姑息性手术以缓解恶性胆管、十二指肠和胰管梗阻，以避免症状早期复发。胰体癌患者的预后仍然很差。
