Pancreatic Cancer: Treatment

Despite advances in cancer therapies, the prognosis for pancreatic cancer remains poor and surgery is the only curative treatment. Curative operations are only possible in 10% to 15% of patients. Common procedures include:

• Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), which involves removal of the duodenum, head of the pancreas, and gallbladder.
• Total pancreatectomy.
• Distal pancreatectomy.

If the tumor is unresectable, treatment includes palliation via radiation, chemotherapy, or surgical intervention to relieve bile duct and gastrointestinal (GI) tract obstructions.

Liberal use of narcotic analgesics for pain control is indicated.