Whipple Procedure: Effects, Success Rate, and More
Whipple Procedure: Effects, Success Rate, and More
Overall, the five-year survival rate after a Whipple procedure is about 20 to 25%. Even if the procedure successfully removes the visible tumor, it's possible that some cancer cells have already spread elsewhere in the body, where they can form new tumors and eventually cause death.
The five-year survival rate is higher in node-negative patients (their cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes) than for node-positive patients.
Regardless of node status, most patients receive chemotherapy, radiation, or both after surgery. However, cancer specialists have differing opinions on the best combination and the best drugs to use.
It's not yet known if therapy works better before or after surgery. But some research suggests that therapy could allow a few patients who are initially thought to be ineligible for surgery to eventually undergo the Whipple procedure. Studies are ongoing.
Whipple Procedure
In this article
- Who Is a Candidate for the Whipple Procedure?
- Who Should Perform the Whipple Procedure?
- What Are Complications of the Whipple Procedure?
- Prognosis After the Whipple Procedure
Prognosis After the Whipple Procedure
Overall, the five-year survival rate after a Whipple procedure is about 20 to 25%. Even if the procedure successfully removes the visible tumor, it's possible that some cancer cells have already spread elsewhere in the body, where they can form new tumors and eventually cause death.
The five-year survival rate is higher in node-negative patients (their cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes) than for node-positive patients.
Regardless of node status, most patients receive chemotherapy, radiation, or both after surgery. However, cancer specialists have differing opinions on the best combination and the best drugs to use.
It's not yet known if therapy works better before or after surgery. But some research suggests that therapy could allow a few patients who are initially thought to be ineligible for surgery to eventually undergo the Whipple procedure. Studies are ongoing.
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