About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer often has few subjective symptoms in the early stages and is frequently discovered in advanced stages. However, in recent years, treatment outcomes have been steadily improving due to advances in diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, and surgical treatment. Our department provides optimal treatment for each patient by performing multidisciplinary treatment centered on surgical treatment, combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in Our Department
The curative treatment for pancreatic cancer is surgical resection. Our department safely performs advanced pancreatic resection procedures such as pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy.
We actively perform neoadjuvant therapy not only for resectable pancreatic cancer but also for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, aiming to improve the rate of curative resection and long-term prognosis. Furthermore, for cases deemed unresectable, we actively explore treatment possibilities as some may become resectable through multidisciplinary treatment, primarily chemotherapy.
Features and Advanced Medical Care in Our Department
Our department performs robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy and robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy. Furthermore, by introducing da Vinci Xi and da Vinci 5, we provide minimally invasive and precise robot-assisted surgery tailored to the patient's condition.
We also work closely with departments such as Gastroenterology, Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Oncology, and Diagnostic Pathology to provide multidisciplinary medical care involving multiple specialists. Postoperatively, we collaborate with the Nutrition Department, Rehabilitation Department, and Swallowing Care Team to establish a comprehensive support system that includes nutritional management and rehabilitation.
Treatment Results
Our department performs a large number of pancreatic cancer surgeries annually, and the number of pancreatic cancer resections is increasing year by year. Treatment results since 2008 show a median survival of 72 months and a 5-year survival rate of 52% for resectable pancreatic cancer, maintaining favorable outcomes. We also actively introduce neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, aiming for curative resection and long-term survival.
Our Department's Initiatives
- Borderline resectable: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with Gemcitabine + Nab-paclitaxel
- Unresectable: FOLFIRINOX therapy (YCOG CFLAP study)
- We also handle complex cases requiring resection and reconstruction of blood vessels (portal vein/artery).