Problems in pancreatic cancer surgery

Despite the development of more sophisticated diagnostic techniques, it remains difficult to detect pancreatic carcinoma in the early stage. However, the resection rate has been increasing due to recent advances 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 pancreatic carcinoma and several problems in pancreatic cancer surgery.