American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

The Whipple procedure, formally known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, is the surgical technique that entails the removal of pancreatic tissue along with a malignant tumor, most commonly in cases involving pancreatic cancer that is localized to the head of the pancreas. This complex operation typically involves excising the head of the pancreas, part of the duodenum, the gallbladder, and sometimes a portion of the stomach. The goal is to remove the cancerous tissue while aiming to maintain as much normal pancreatic function as possible.

Pancreatectomy is a broader term that refers to the surgical removal of the pancreas, which can be total or partial but does not specifically denote the intricate nature of the Whipple procedure as it often does not include the duodenum or other structures. Cholecystectomy involves gallbladder removal and is unrelated to pancreatic surgeries. Apudotomy refers to the removal of specific neuroendocrine tumors, particularly those involving the adrenal glands or other sites, and is not used when referring to pancreatic cancer surgery. Therefore, the Whipple procedure stands out as the specific and correct answer for the surgical removal of pancreatic tissue along with a malignant tumor.