Speak to someone who's had surgery
We have a phone service, called Side by Side, where you can speak to a trained volunteer who has already had pancreatic cancer surgery. They know what it’s like to have surgery, and can share their experiences.
There are different operations for pancreatic cancer. They involve removing part or all of the pancreas. This will depend on where the cancer is in the pancreas and how much of the pancreas is affected. The surgeon may need to remove other organs and tissues around the pancreas, such as part of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The types of surgery are called:
Your surgeon will discuss the best type of surgery for you and explain what will happen. Ask the surgeon any questions you have.
We have a phone service, called Side by Side, where you can speak to a trained volunteer who has already had pancreatic cancer surgery. They know what it’s like to have surgery, and can share their experiences.
“Side by Side has helped me get through some very low times. I always feel so much better after the calls.”
The Whipple’s procedure is the most common type of surgery for pancreatic cancer. It is used for tumours in the head or neck of the pancreas.
The surgeon will remove the head of the pancreas. They also remove:
The surgeon will then join the remaining part of the stomach and bile duct to the small intestine. The pancreas is joined to the small intestine or to the stomach.
You may have an operation that’s similar to the Whipple’s, but none of the stomach is removed. This is called a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD).
As part of your pancreas is removed, your digestion may be affected. You may need pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to help you digest food. There is also a chance that you might get diabetes – this can happen at any time after your operation. Read more about side effects of surgery.
This diagram shows the parts of the body removed by a Whipple’s:
This diagram shows the pancreas and surrounding organs after a Whipple’s:
This diagram shows the pancreas after a distal pancreatectomy:
The spleen helps your body fight infections. If it’s removed, you may be more likely to get infections, so you will have vaccinations before or after surgery You may also need to take antibiotics for the rest of your life. You can carry a card saying you have no spleen in case you become ill. You can get these from GOV.UK.
You will be more likely to get diabetes. You may need to take medicine, such as insulin, to manage this. Your digestion may also be affected. You may need to take pancreatic enzymes, but this is less likely than with the Whipple’s operation.
You may have a total pancreatectomy if there is a large tumour, more than one tumour, or if your pancreas isn’t healthy.
A total pancreatectomy removes the whole pancreas and:
Exactly what is removed will depend on where the cancer is.
This diagram shows the parts of the body that will be removed by a total pancreatectomy:
Sometimes the cancer grows into or around major blood vessels near the pancreas – such as the superior mesenteric and portal veins. To remove the cancer, the surgeon may need to remove part of the vein. The vein is then joined back together. This is called vein resection and reconstruction. It is sometimes done by putting in a piece of vein from somewhere else in the body or using an artificial material – this is called a graft.
Vein resection makes the surgery more complicated, and it may take longer. You need to be very fit and well to have this type of surgery.
This type of surgery might not be available at your nearest specialist centre. You may be referred to another specialist centre to have the surgery. You can also ask for a second opinion from another surgeon who is experienced in doing vein resections.
Which type of operation do I need?
What organs will be removed?
Will I need to take pancreatic enzymes or other medicines after my surgery?
Published November 2021
Review date November 2023