Novel procedure could allow for removal of previously inoperable pancreatic tumors

“A clinical trial will seek to understand if a novel surgical procedure developed at Keck Medicine of USC will allow for the removal of pancreatic tumors that are currently considered inoperable. The research will focus on treatment of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer which has not yet spread to other organs, but has grown into or close to nearby blood vessels that surround the pancreas. . . . .   In the trial, the investigators will study the effectiveness of providing patients with chemotherapy to first shrink the size of the tumor. Laparoscopic surgery will then be performed two to eight weeks after the patient has completed their chemotherapy treatments to assess the position and size of the remaining tumor. Using this information, the surgeon then surgically removes the tumor and reconstructs any of the involved blood vessels.”        MORE

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