Mercy Surgical Oncologist Dr. Kurtis Campbell Discusses Whipple Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer

The Whipple Procedure is a surgical procedure to remove a pancreatic tumor and some of the normal tissue around it. It's difficult to do, but it can offer patients with pancreatic cancer more time.

Alberta Jones is following up with her doctor. This year she underwent one of the most complicated operations a surgeon can do called the Whipple.

"The operation, I think, offers a lot to people in terms of potential cure," said surgical oncologist Dr. Kurtis Campbell of The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy Medical Center. 

There are a lot of complex steps. Dr. Campbell wanted to make sure Jones understood what those steps were when they discussed how to care for her after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"I said, 'Well, I want it done.' And he did, and I think it worked very successful because I'm doing good," Jones said.

"You're still prolonging life and improving quality of life for the period that they have," Dr. Campbell said.

Dr. Campbell reviewed the step-by-step illustrations of the surgery, something he often does with patients to explain how the surgery is done. It involves removing the wider part of pancreas and sometimes part of the bile duct, gallbladder and part of the stomach.

After the surgery, the surgeon connects the remaining intestine, bile duct and pancreas to allow the body to digest.

"There are options and opportunities for them. This is a big surgery and overwhelming to the individual," Dr. Campbell said.

To view Mercy surgical oncologist Dr. Kurtis Campbell’s interview about Whipple surgery for pancreatic cancer, click here.