
1	The Pancreas
2	Pancreatic Cancer
3	Causes of PC
4	Heredity
5	Risk Factors
6	Diagnosis
7	Metastasis
8	Staging
9	Questions to ask
10	Surgical Treatment
11	Medical Treatment
12	Vaccine
13	Symptoms & Side Effects
14	Screening
15	Pain Management
16	Diet & Exercise
17	Final Stages & Hospice

Distal Pancreatectomy and Splenectomy

Due to the position of the body and tail of the pancreas within the anatomy, tumors in this area may develop for some time before causing symptoms, such as pain or jaundice. Unfortunately, once these symptoms appear the cancer is usually at an advanced stage, often with evidence metastases. For this reason most patients with tumors of the body or tail are not operable.

If the tumor is operable, a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy is performed. This is the removal of the left portion of the pancreas and the spleen.



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Disclaimer: No two patients with pancreas cancer are identical. The appropriate treatment of individual patients with pancreatic cancer varies greatly depending on the patient's medical and surgical history. The information expressed in this Web page is not medical advice. It is meant only to educate health care professionals and patients about the current status of treatment and research in pancreas cancer at Hopkins. Before making any medical decisions, patients with pancreatic cancer are advised to consult with their personal physicians.