Fifty years of pancreas cancer care

Resulting from 50 years of innovation, operations for pancreatic neoplasms can now be performed safely, albeit with significant but manageable morbidity. Molecular diagnosis has allowed for the identification of multiple distinct histopathologies with variable natural histories. Observation is now a strategy for selected indolent cysts and some neuroendocrine neoplasms. For ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a long-term cure remains elusive and will require more than surgical resection for meaningful progress.

Automated summary

Operations for pancreatic neoplasms have made significant progress in the past 50 years, thanks to innovation. Molecular diagnosis has enabled the identification of different types of tumors with varying natural progressions. Observation is now a viable strategy for certain cysts and neuroendocrine neoplasms. However, finding a long-term cure for ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma is still a challenge.