HOW DO I DECIDE IF I SHOULD HAVE A WHIPPLE PROCEDURE?

The Whipple procedure is a difficult surgery with many
potential complications.  The goal is to only operate on patients who may have removable tumors.  Your doctor will determine this based on a number of different tests and procedures.  He or she may not be able to determine if your tumor is removable until the time of operation. 

Ask your surgeon:

• What will happen if I don't have the Whipple procedure?
  
• What are the risks of the Whipple procedure in my particular case?
  
• What are the survival rates of people having the surgery compared to people who don't have the surgery?