Evaluation of Palliative Operations for Carcinoma of the Pancreas

Abstract

CARCINOMA of the pancreas is a malignancy of high biologic potential. In most patients the probability of cure of the disease is not great, but distressing symptoms of obstructive jaundice are usually present. Although permanent cure is not available, some relief is possible by an operation for bypass of the obstructed common bile duct. An evaluation of these operations is the purpose of this study. Source of Material A retrospective study was made of all patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas who received palliative operation for obstruction of the distal common bile duct at Charity Hospital of Louisiana at New Orleans from Jan 1, 1948, to Dec 31, 1963. Of 981,839 patients admitted to the Hospital from 1948 though 1963, there were 26,087 (2.65%) treated for neoplastic diseases; and of these, 600 patients (2.30%) were treated for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Of these, 157