CURATIVE TREATMENT FOR PANCREATIC NEOPLASMS

The 5-year survival rate following the Whipple resection for pancreati c cancer is still only 10%. There is some evidence, especially from Ja pan, that more extensive resections than are commonly done with the st andard Whipple operation may prolong survival. Many of the published s eries that compare the two operations, however, are retrospective and uncontrolled for the stage of disease. Such comparisons, therefore, ar e unjustified. Before any modification of the standard pancreaticoduod enectomy is adopted, an appropriately designed study should be perform ed to confirm its efficacy.