KTPH Hepato–Pancreato–Biliary Surgery Service (HPB)

This procedure is performed for patients who require surgical removal (resection) for a primary cancer that has arisen within the pancreas head, distal bile ducts, ampulla or duodenum.

Sometimes it is not possible to determine whether the tumour is benign or malignant and resection is performed to remove the tumour and establish the diagnosis.

Biopsy of the pancreas is not routinely recommended as it has the potential to cause bleeding and spread of the cancer. The principal aim is to completely remove the tumour and draining lymph nodes without leaving any tumour behind. The success of the pancreatic resection depends upon the location, size and type of tumour.

Removal of the head of the pancreas, the duodenum and lower bile ducts (including gallbladder) with or without the distal stomach is known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

If the tumor has invaded into the major vessels around the pancreas, the procedure may be more complicated in repairing the vessel or it may not be advisable to proceed.