Is Chemotherapy Better Than Surgery For Mass Near The Pancreas?

Posted on Tue, 1 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 1 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a 2cm mass in my pancreas next to my bile duct. And the findings were inclusive but worrisome but not postive for cancer. The surgeon recommended the Whipple Procedure . Was wondering if Chemo would be better than surgery.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Any localised mass requires surgery.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details. So any localised pancreatic mass has to be taken out if it is localised to pancreas and the surgery is whipples procedure. After that, chemo may be required but surgery first. Only Chemo is required when the surgery is not feasible or the mass has spread outside the pancreas. Your doctor is right.
No worries.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T