When a patient heard the word surgery, they may experience a lot of anxiety and concern. Surgery is often a last resort for many medical problems and conditions, and it can carry many risks with it. Most people do not want to have to go under the knife, experiencing surgery on any part of their body. Surgery requires a lot of preparation, both physically and mentally. It also requires a lot of recovery time following the actual surgery. However, as anxiety producing as surgery can be, it is often a necessary step in curing a problem or a disease. Surgery can be an effective method for those suffering with pancreatic diseases or problems.
There are thousands of patients who are currently awaiting a liver transplant. According to the American Liver Foundation, there were over 16,000 patients on the national waiting list as of October 2012. In these patients? cases, pancreatic surgery will be a positive thing, allowing a pancreatic surgeon to replace their damaged and nonfunctioning pancreas with a better suited one that is healthier. Over the past few years, those who go through hepatobiliary surgery have increased survival odds. The outlook is best for the people who are able to have a liver transplant. Overall, about 75 out of 100 people (75%) survive for 5 years or more after this type of surgery. This is an increase in success rates from past years of the same type of surgery.
The progression and the abundance of the disease always factors into the success rates of the surgery. Overall, only between 15 out of 100 people (15%) and 25 out of 100 people (25%) survive for 5 years or more after surgery to remove liver cancer (liver resection). But in people who have cancers that are less than 3cm across, more than 50 out of 100 (50%) will survive for more than 5 years. However, unfortunately only a small proportion of people with liver cancer are able to have surgery.
When surgery may be the only option or the most promising option, a patient should consult with a pancreatic surgeon. A pancreatic surgeon is a liver surgeon that is specialized in this specific type of surgery. They have seen thousands of cases and understand the best recovery and success rates. They are able to realistically calculate what the odds of someone?s individuals case is. A pancreatic surgeon is a great resource for those considering this type of a surgery.
Surgery can be scary and anxiety producing. It requires a lot of preparation, risk and then recovery time. However, some surgeries are necessary to prolong life and to prevent and get rid of disease. One of these surgeries is that of pancreatic surgery. It is often a necessary step in ridding the body of the disease. A pancreatic surgeon is a great resource for those who are contemplating or considering this type of a surgery.
