[R classification and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma--R 0 is R 0].

The ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is characterised by a very poor prognosis due to an early inoperability of the tumours. Even if operated under curative aspects, local recurrence of the disease is quite frequent with corresponding poorer prognosis. For a better assessment, standardised protocols for the pathohistological processing of resection specimens of the pancreas are needed urgently as well as a strict adherence to the R classification. In order to establish a reliable marker for the risk of recurrence, the smallest distance to the circumferential resection margin should be indicated in comparison to the circumferential resection margin (CRM) concept in colorectal carcinoma. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.