If you are having surgery for pancreatic cancer, there may be some changes to treatment and precautions you need to take because of coronavirus.
If you have recently had surgery, you may be more at risk of getting ill if you get coronavirus while you are recovering from the operation. If your spleen has been removed, your risk from the virus may be higher as the spleen is part of the immune system and helps to protect against infection.
The information in this section is about surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. It does not cover surgery for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Neuroendocrine Cancer UK has information about this.
Every hospital will do things slightly differently. Speak to your doctor, surgeon or nurse (the clinical nurse specialist or CNS) if you have any questions about surgery.
To read more about surgery for pancreatic cancer, download our fact sheet, Surgery to remove pancreatic cancer.
You can also order a physical copy.
Surgery to remove pancreatic cancer is a big operation and can affect your feelings as well as your body. But there is support available.
If you able to have surgery, or have had it, our Side by Side telephone service gives you the chance to speak to someone else who has had surgery.
You can also read stories from people who have had surgery in our Real Life Stories.
You can speak to our nurses on our free Support Line about any questions or concerns you may have about surgery.
Published November 2021
Review date November 2023