Scientific research and modern technology have improved surgical techniques, anesthesia and quality of postoperative care. Mortality has decreased greatly into a low single digit 5%. Studies have shown that results are better at hospitals where Whipple procedures are done more often. Complex surgeries and treatments done in high volumes improve health care quality and treatment outcomes.

1. WHIPPLE PROCEDURE SURVIVAL RATE
In 1970’s, Pancreatic cancer and Whipple procedure survival rates were subjects of morbid interest.
No other common cancer has poorer prognosis and more than 15% of patients who undergo
Whipple procedure died during or after surgery. Those times are long gone now.
IMPROVEMENTS TO WHIPPLE PROCEDURE SURVIVAL RATE
Scientific research and modern technology have improved surgical techniques, anesthesia and
quality of postoperative care. Mortality has decreased greatly into a low single digit 5%. Studies have
shown that results are better at hospitals where Whipple procedures are done more often. Complex
surgeries and treatments done in high volumes improve health care quality and treatment outcomes.
Another factor to consider in Whipple procedure survival rates is the surgeon performing the
procedure. The same commonsensical theory applies, the more procedures the surgeon performs,
the lower the mortality rate and the higher the survival rates are. These are the reasons why patients
are steered to specialized centers and surgeons with field expertise.
IMPEDIMENTS TO WHIPPLE PROCEDURE SUCCESS
Even with the best surgeons and at the best hospitals, cancer cells may escape the pancreas and
migrate to other parts of the body. These can be undetected by diagnostic procedures before, during
or immediately after the surgery, and eventually grow into new cancers and be fatal. Patients are
advised to undergo treatment with radiation or chemotherapeutic agents to minimize the possibility
of this happening.
For patients whose cancer are limited to head of pancreas only, and have not spread to lymph nodes
have a higher 5-year survival rate at 40%.
At present, patients with untreated pancreatic cancer only have 6% 5-year survival rate. With the
invention of modern equipment and refined techniques, Whipple procedure survival rate increased
the 5-year survival rate into 20%.
For more information, please visit http://www.whipple-procedure.org/whipple-procedure-survival-rate/