PROBLEMS IN PANCREATIC-CANCER SURGERY

Despite the development of more sophisticated diagnostic techniques, i t remains difficult to detect pancreatic carcinoma in the early stage. However, the resection rate has been increasing due to recent advance s in surgical techniques and the application of extensive surgery. In 1995, statistics of the Pancreatic Cancer Register Committee of Japan Pancreas Society showed a 44.5% rate of resection. Further, according to Japan Pancreas Society staging, the 5-year survival rate of Stage I , II, III, and IV after surgical resection was 46.3, 27.5, 20.4, and 8 .3%, respectively. This paper will review the Japanese experience of p ancreatic carcinoma and several problems in pancreatic cancer surgery. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.