Pancreatic Cancer Patients Don't Get Surgery

"A new study says nearly 40% of patients with early pancreatic cancer who could be treated with surgery don't get the operation.

One of the study's co-authors says the complicated operation is tricky but safer than previously thought and can extend life, although chances of surviving five years are still not great.

The study found that about 30% of patients with early stage disease who get the operation can be expected to survive at least five years, compared with less than five percent of early stage patients who don't get the operation.

The study is based on an analysis of a national cancer database maintained by the American College of Surgeons."