Question About Pre-Whipple Procedure

Hello, newbie here. My 70 year old mother was just admitted to hospital with jaundice, itching, and high blood pressure. An ultrasound detected a mass on pancreas. Dr. performed an E.R.C.P. to put a temporary stent in to prevent blockage. He said tests came back that mass was Negative but wants her to have Whipple because the tests don't detect all the cells and their coud be malignant ones. They now want to do an Endoscopic Ultrasound to get a biopsy. My question is, if they are going to perform the Whipple and remove the tumor, gallbladder, etc., then why have the EU??? Also, is anyone familiar with Dr. Joe Levi at Jackson Memeorial in Miami? He was referred to do the Whipple. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I wanted to reply to you about the EU.The whipple is a large surgery and can involve many complications. My husband had the whipple on April 20th. He had the EU when he got a biopsy back negative. We had a positive biopsy with the EU and could see how involved the tumor was and if it involved the arteries which it did. I would highly suggest that you go forward with the EU before you allow the whipple procedure. We will keep you in our prayers. Hang in there.Remember knowledge is power and the EU will only give the doctor more knowledge of the tumor.