[Carcinoma of the pancreatic body and tail]

Carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas still remains the disease form with the worst prognosis and evolution. In spite of a huge improvement in diagnostic methods, anaesthetic and surgical procedures and pre- and postoperative assistance, the results in terms of early diagnosis and long-term survival have been generally disappointing. The authors describe their own experience regarding three such tumours treated in five years, analysing the literature data, and referring to the current guidelines in diagnostics and surgical therapy. They then go on to propose a step-by-step approach to the management of these patients. The difficulty of obtaining an early diagnosis of the disease which derives from many factors, such as unspecific and late appearing symptoms, is stressed. They conclude by confirming the need to perform a radical resection, if possible, which, together with a combination of radio- and chemotherapy, is the only procedure capable of holding out some hope of a cure.