Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center provides options with improved prognoses not available elsewhere for people with pancreatic cancer. We are revolutionizing the standard of care for this disease.

Nearly 2,000 people with pancreatic cancer in all stages of disease seek treatment from our cancer experts every year. Over 300 of them undergo curative surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, so you can feel confident you are in expert hands.

Pancreatic cancer typically is not caught until it has reached an advanced stage. Historically, most people with advanced pancreatic cancer whose tumors have grown outside the pancreas to involve critical blood vessels (veins and arteries) have been told their cancer is inoperable and incurable. We have changed that.

We developed a unique and aggressive approach to treating pancreatic cancer and now offer life-saving treatment to more patients than ever before. We have redefined who is a candidate for surgery, increased survival rates and made more cures possible.

Our pancreatic cancer team has found that customized treatment plans including personalized chemotherapy followed by radiation and complex surgery with blood vessel reconstruction can lead to excellent outcomes and a positive impact on long-term survival.  

Our advanced treatment options include a wide range of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, combination therapies and promising clinical trials. Based on your unique goals, we will help you choose what treatment is right for you.  

Accurate pancreatic cancer staging is critical to receiving the right treatment. As part of your initial evaluation at Mayo Clinic, you will have access to state-of-the-art imaging technology and molecular diagnostic tools, many of which are not available anywhere else in the world. Through this comprehensive assessment combined with our specialized knowledge of this disease, you can be confident you are getting the most accurate diagnosis and staging with the most appropriate treatment recommendations. 

Time is critical with an aggressive pancreatic cancer. We are dedicated to getting you an appointment quickly. Your multidisciplinary team of pancreatic specialists will guide you through a comprehensive diagnostic and staging evaluation with a custom treatment plan. In some cases, this can be done with a condensed 1-to-2-day appointment itinerary. 

Your team of pancreatic cancer specialists includes surgeons, radiologists, medical and radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists and more. They work together on your case and help you choose the best treatment plan for your needs.     

Mayo Clinic is recognized as one of the leading centers for pancreatic cancer treatment. Our many clinical trials provide more options and hope for people with pancreatic cancer. 

If you have been told curative surgery is not an option because of where your tumor is located or because of blood vessel involvement, a second opinion from the pancreatic cancer team at Mayo Clinic could expand your treatment choices and increase your long-term survival. We are revolutionizing the standard of care for pancreatic cancer and offering potentially curative treatment options to people who have been told they have none.  

Get Personalized Cancer Treatment From the Experts Revolutionizing Pancreatic Cancer Care

Making the inoperable, operable.

Compassionate Experts in Pancreatic Surgery

Take the first step toward your recovery

Take the first step toward your recovery

Count on our expert team to provide accurate cancer staging and prompt treatment.

We are your partner throughout your journey, during treatment and after.

Gain access to the latest, innovative clinical research trials.

Contact us to request an appointment.