| How
is Pancreatic Cancer Treated |
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Treatment of cancer of the pancreas depends on the stage of the disease, and
the patient's age and overall condition.
Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in
patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be
considered. Most patients with cancer of the pancreas are not cured with
standard therapy and some standard treatments may have more side effects
than are desired. For these reasons, clinical trials are designed to find
better ways to treat cancer patients and are based on the most up-to-date
information. Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for
all stages of cancer of the pancreas. To learn more about clinical trials,
call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237); TTY
at 1-800-332-8615.
Treatment may be one
of the following:
- Surgery to remove
the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, and some of the
surrounding tissues (Whipple procedure).
- Surgery to remove
the entire pancreas and the organs around it (total pancreatectomy).
- Surgery to remove
the body and tail of the pancreas (distal pancreatectomy).
- Surgery followed
by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Clinical trials of
radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy given before, during, or
after surgery.
Treatment may be one
of the following:
- Surgery to remove
all or part of the pancreas with or without chemotherapy and radiation
therapy.
- External radiation
therapy with or without chemotherapy.
- Surgery or other
treatments to reduce symptoms.
- Clinical trials of
radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before surgery.
- Clinical trials of
radiation therapy plus drugs to make cancer cells more sensitive to
radiation (radiosensitizers).
- Clinical trials of
chemotherapy.
- Clinical trials of
radiation therapy given during surgery with or without internal
radiation therapy.
Treatment may be one
of the following:
- Surgery to remove
all or part of the pancreas with or without chemotherapy and radiation
therapy.
- External radiation
therapy with or without chemotherapy.
- Surgery or other
treatments to reduce symptoms.
- Clinical trials of
radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before surgery.
- Clinical trials of
surgery plus radiation therapy plus drugs to make cancer cells more
sensitive to radiation (radiosensitizers).
- Clinical trials of
chemotherapy.
- Clinical trials of
radiation therapy given during surgery, with or without internal
radiation therapy.
Treatment may be one
of the following:
- Surgery to remove
all or part of the pancreas with or without chemotherapy and radiation
therapy.
- External radiation
therapy with or without chemotherapy.
- Surgery or other
treatments to reduce symptoms.
- Clinical trials of
radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before surgery.
- Clinical trials of
surgery plus radiation therapy plus drugs to make cancer cells more
sensitive to radiation (radiosensitizers).
- Clinical trials of
chemotherapy.
- Clinical trials of
radiation therapy given during surgery, with or without internal
radiation therapy.
Treatment may be one
of the following:
- Chemotherapy.
- Treatments for
pain and other symptoms.
- Surgery or other
treatments to reduce symptoms.
- Clinical trials of
chemotherapy or biological therapy.
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