Pancreatic cancer - Recovering from surgery

Recovering from pancreatic cancer surgery can be a long and difficult process.

You'll probably experience some pain after your operation. The staff at your hospital will make sure you have adequate pain relief.

After any type of surgery to your digestive system, your bowel will temporarily stop working. This means you won't be able to eat or drink straight away.

You'll gradually be able to sip fluids, before eventually being able to drink and eat more regularly. You may be referred to a dietitian, who can advise you about what foods you should eat following your operation.

After the tumour has been removed, you will probably have a six-month course of chemotherapy, which greatly increases your chance of being cured. However, as cancer of the pancreas is difficult to diagnose and treat, many people don't recover completely.

Treatment can be very effective in helping to ease symptoms and make you as comfortable as possible. Chemotherapy can help shrink your tumour and slow down its growth.