title: Surgical palliation in patients with pancreatic cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of palliative strategies in patients with pancreatic cancer is the relief of tumor-associated symptoms such as biliary and duodenal obstruction and tumor growth. Due to high mortality and morbidity rates of surgery, treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer is mainly in the hand of gastroenterologists.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In recent years, surgery of pancreatic cancer in specialized centres developed strongly, which makes it a viable option even in the treatment of advanced disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We advocate for an aggressive strategy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer with surgical exploration and tumor resection whenever possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Köninger
authors.forename: Moritz N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Wente
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Carsten N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Gutt
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friess
authors.forename: Markus W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Büchler
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007902:Length of Stay; D010166:Palliative Care; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D015607:Stents