Surgical removal of the pancreas.

This is a major operation with considerable risk, and it is appropriate only for carefully selected persons. The reason for the operation is the presence of pancreatic cancer. In some cases of cancer a preferred operation is one in which only the head of the pancreas is removed, together with a segment of the duodenum (pancreaticoduodenectomy). In most persons the tumor is too far advanced for simple removal.

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