Is it important to achieve clean margins in pancreatic cancer surgery?

In general, achieving clean margins in pancreatic cancer surgery is crucial, as it directly impacts the risk of recurrence, survival rates, and subsequent treatment strategies. The detailed analysis is as follows:

The importance of achieving clean surgical margins in pancreatic cancer lies in the fact that if cancer cells remain at the resection margin, these residual cells may continue to proliferate, significantly increasing the likelihood of disease recurrence. In contrast, clean margins minimize the presence of residual cancer cells, reduce the risk of recurrence, and create favorable conditions for extending patient survival. Moreover, the margin status directly affects survival rates—patients with clean margins tend to have longer postoperative survival periods, whereas positive margins may shorten survival time. Additionally, whether the margins are clear influences follow-up treatment strategies. When margins are clean, routine follow-up monitoring may be sufficient after surgery; however, when cancer cells are left behind, additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy are often required to further control the disease.

After surgery, pancreatic cancer patients must undergo regular follow-up examinations as directed by their physicians, including imaging studies and tumor marker tests, closely monitoring any bodily changes. Daily diet should consist of easily digestible, nutrient-rich foods to avoid placing extra strain on the digestive system. Patients should maintain a regular作息 (daily routine), avoid excessive fatigue, and pay attention to psychological well-being, avoiding negative emotions such as anxiety and depression that could impair recovery. If symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, or sudden weight loss occur, immediate medical attention is necessary.