Getting To Know Pancreas Cancer And Treatment Solutions Through Whipple Surgery

JAKARTA - pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive types of cancer and is often diagnosed late. The location of the pancreas hidden in the stomach cavity makes the symptoms not easily recognized.

Some initial signs such as pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, or yellowing skin and eyes, often appear when cancer is growing further.

The most common type is the pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which comes from enzyme-producing tissues in the head of the pancreas.

Although pancreatic cancer is often difficult to deal with, especially if it is found in advanced stages, progress in the medical field has brought a glimmer of hope.

One method that provides greater chances of life for patients is the Whipple procedure or also known as the pancreaticoduodenectomy.

For patients with pancreatic cancer who are still in an early or medium stage, Whipple surgery can be a very important treatment step. This action is classified as complex because it involves removing several connected organs, such as the pancreas's head, the first part of the fine intestines (duodenum), bile bags, and parts of bile ducts.

Although the procedure is large, its success can increase life expectancy and improve the patient's quality of life significantly.

As medical technology develops, this procedure can now be done with two main approaches: open surgery and more modern laparoscopic techniques. The laparoscopic approach allows doctors to perform operations through several small cuts using cameras and special tools.

The advantages of this method include faster recovery times, milder pain, and lower risk of infection and bleeding than open surgery.

"Whipple remains the main choice when cancer is limited to the head of the pancreas and has not spread," explained dr. Eko Priatno, Sp.B-KBD, a geostive surgical consultant from Bethsaida Hospital.

The decision to undergo the Whipple operation was not taken carelessly. Each patient will undergo a thorough evaluation by the medical team, taking into account the physical condition, the rate of cancer spread, and various other clinical factors. The handling process did not stop after the operation was completed.

According to dr. Pitono, Director of Bethsaida Hospital Gading Serpong, the success of pancreatic cancer treatment is also greatly determined by the readiness of facilities, the accuracy of diagnosis, and the holistic postoperative treatment.

"We assist patients from the preoperation stage, implementation of actions with cutting-edge technology, to intensively monitored recovery. All are handled by experienced specialist doctors and supported by complete medical infrastructure," he said.