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Overview
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that develops due to the uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that lies behind the stomach and makes substances which help digest our food.
What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is still not understood. It is thought to happen due to changes in the DNA of certain cells, which makes them grow without stopping.
Are You at Risk?
Check if any of these apply to you:
- Habit of smoking
- Type 2 diabetes
- Long-term inflammation of the pancreas
- Close family member affected by pancreatic cancer
- Obese
- Alcohol consumption
- Over the age of 65
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer often does not cause any symptoms until the later stages. When symptoms appear:
- Pain near the belly, sides or back
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Light-coloured or floating stools
- Dark-coloured urine
- Itching
- New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that's getting harder to control
How is it Diagnosed?
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Ultrasound or MRI or other images of your pancreas
- Tissue samples
How is Pancreatic Cancer Treated?
- Treating the symptoms through medicines
- Anti-cancer medicines
- Radiation treatment
- Surgery — removes a part or the entire pancreas
Robotic Pancreas Surgery
What is it?
Robotic pancreas surgery is a modern surgery where doctors remove part of the pancreas using small cuts and a robotic system controlled by the surgeon.
Why is this Procedure Done?
- To remove cancer from the pancreas
- To reduce spread of cancer
- To improve chances of long-term survival
Types of Surgery
Open surgery: Done using a large cut on the side or on the stomach.
Laparoscopic surgery: Uses small cuts through which a camera-like device is inserted while performing the surgery.
Robotic surgery: Uses a robotic system with arms to carry out the surgery.
| Feature | Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Loss | Higher | Moderate | Lowest |
| ICU Stay | Long | Short | Shorter |
| Hospital Stay | Long | Short | Shorter |
| Redo of Procedure | Normal | Low | Lowest |
Advantages of Robotic Surgery
- Less pain
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster return to normal activities and work
- Lower risk of infections and issues
- Smaller scars
Procedure Details
What Happens Before the Procedure?
- Certain tests like blood tests, X-rays are done
- Your doctor will review any medicines you might be taking
- You will be asked about your allergies and alcohol consumption
Step-by-Step Overview
- Patient is put fully to sleep
- Small cuts are made around the belly and a tube is inserted through which the robotic arms operate
- The tumour is located and removed
- The cuts are then closed up
Risks & Complications
Common Risks
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Tiredness
Rare but Serious Complications
- Fatty liver
- Immune-related problems
- Diabetes
Benefits and Outcomes
Pancreatectomy is an effective way for treating pancreatic cancer and helping you live longer.
Hospital Stay & Recovery
Day of Procedure
- Fasting
- Preparing the patient before surgery
After the Procedure
- Your health is closely observed
- Dose of pain medicine is gradually reduced
- Your diet and sugar levels are also observed
Hospital Stay Duration
3–7 days.
Recovery Timeline
- Return to regular activity after 6 weeks
- Complete recovery takes several months
Activity Restrictions
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Avoid driving for around 2–3 weeks after the surgery
- Do not drive if you are on painkillers or in any pain
- It's normal to feel tired after the surgery; take plenty of rest
Long-Term Care
- First checkup usually 1–2 weeks after surgery
- Don't miss your scheduled follow-up visits
Lifestyle & Prevention
Diet
- Liquid diet for the first 2 days
- Have smaller meals more often through the day
- Include carbohydrates in your meals
- Drink plenty of water
Exercise
- Gentle exercises (e.g., walking less than 1.5 km)
Ways to Lower Risk
- Stop smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
When to Contact a Doctor
- Fever 101°F or higher
- Feeling cold or chills
- Diarrhoea
- Feel like vomiting
- Constipation that doesn't improve after 3 days
- Fluid leaking from the surgical cuts
- Having trouble keeping your blood sugar levels normal/stable
Myths vs Facts
Robotic pancreatectomy means the pancreas is removed completely in all cases.
Only part of the pancreas is removed in most surgeries. The exact amount depends on where the cancer is.
Digestive problems after robotic surgery mean something went wrong.
After pancreatic surgery, some people may temporarily have difficulty digesting food, or loose/fatty stools. This is expected because the pancreas helps with digestion and may need time or medicines to adjust.
Comfort of recovery is the same in all types of pancreatic surgery.
Because robotic surgery uses smaller cuts and causes less tissue handling, many patients experience less post-surgery pain, earlier movement, and smoother early recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference in hospital experience after robotic surgery compared to open surgery?
Patients who undergo robotic surgery often start walking earlier, have smaller wounds to care for, and may need fewer strong pain medicines in early recovery.
Why is digestion slow after pancreatic surgery, even with robotic technique?
The pancreas plays a key role in breaking down food and helping absorb fats and nutrients. After surgery, the body needs time to adjust, regardless of whether the surgery was robotic or open.
Will I need long-term medicines after robotic pancreatectomy?
Some patients may need enzyme tablets (to help digest food), blood sugar control medicines, or anti-cancer medicines after surgery.
References
- 1. Mayo Clinic. Pancreatic cancer. Available from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355421
- 2. National Cancer Institute. Pancreatic Cancer Treatment — Patient Version. Available from https://www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/patient/pancreatic-treatment-pdq
- 3. American Cancer Society. Can Pancreatic Cancer Be Found Early? Available from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pancreatic-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html
- 4. Cleveland Clinic. Pancreatic Cancer. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15806-pancreatic-cancer
- 5. Abdul Halim N, Sadot E, Negoi I. Perioperative Outcomes in Robotic, Laparoscopic, and Open Distal Pancreatectomy: A Network Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression. Cancers. 2025;17(19):3243.
- 6. Johns Hopkins Robotic Surgery. Available from https://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/treatment/laparoscopic-robotic-surgery
- 7. Cleveland Clinic. Pancreatectomy. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23134-pancreatectomy-surgery-removal-pancreas
- 8. Delvecchio A, Caringi S, De Palma C, et al. Step-by-Step Description of Standardized Technique for Robotic Pancreatoduodenectomy. Curr Oncol. 2025;32(6):302.
- 9. Gleneagles. Robotic Pancreas Surgery. Available from https://www.gleneagleshospitals.co.in/procedures/robotic-pancreas-surgery
- 10. Cleveland Clinic. Whipple Procedure. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21650-whipple-procedure
- 11. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Your Total Pancreatectomy. Available from https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/total-pancreatectomy