While no treatment for pancreatic cancer is 100% effective, early detection and treatment options can be highly beneficial. The treatment for pancreatic cancer is individualized. Treatment at MD Anderson is based on research from the National Cancer Institute, the Mayo Clinic, and other sources. The program’s 5-year survival rate is among the best in the surgical literature, with less than 1% mortality following surgery. Survivors also stay in the hospital for less time than the national average. The preoperative setting often includes radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the type of cancer.
Treatment options
As pancreatic cancer can spread rapidly, treatments vary widely. While chemotherapy is often the first line of treatment for early-stage pancreatic cancer, second-line treatments can involve other types of drugs. Additionally, patients with pancreatic cancer may be considered for clinical trials. Although these procedures can cause more side effects, they are recommended for patients who can perform daily activities without assistance. In addition, patients may receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment.
As of 2014, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) has designated four stages for the disease based on its size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis. Stage 1 represents localized disease, while stage 2 and stage 4 are characterized by regional involvement of lymph nodes and distant metastases. For patients with stage I, treatment can remove the entire cancer, but it becomes more difficult as the cancer spreads.
Another type of treatment involves using radiation and chemotherapy to destroy tumor cells. Radiation therapy, or radioactive iodine, helps the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells. However, this type of treatment has many side effects, including cough, joint pain, and fatigue. Some of the side effects of radiation therapy are nausea, vomiting, and joint pain, but they generally subside after a few weeks. However, radiation cannot completely eliminate the cancer. Partially removing the tumor has been associated with increased risks, such as fatigue and fever.
Surgery is another treatment option for pancreatic cancer. Depending on the stage of the disease, surgeons may remove the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. Surgical removal of the pancreatic tumor has an average 5-year survival rate of 25 percent, but it is only performed if the surgeon believes that all cancer cells are removed. In some cases, the cancer is too advanced to be removed by surgery. The surgeon may recommend chemotherapy if the tumor has spread to other organs.
Early detection
Early detection of pancreatic cancer is a goal of many researchers. The most advanced laboratory has developed tests to detect cancers through abnormally methylated genes. The researchers are currently testing these markers as a blood test for early detection of pancreatic cancer. These tests could eventually improve patient care by improving the early detection of pancreatic cancer. But the most difficult part of early detection is predicting which cancers will progress.
While pancreatic cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S., it often goes undiagnosed until it has spread beyond the pancreas. Early detection has a higher 5-year survival rate. To help with the early detection of pancreatic cancer, the High-Risk Pancreas Clinic at the Mayo Clinic is a hub for screening. Shounak Majumder, PhD, and Gloria M. Petersen, PhD, are leaders of the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Research Program. Dr. Petersen is a professor of epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. She leads studies aimed at developing diagnostic tools for early detection.
While no effective screening test for pancreatic cancer exists, it has been shown that screening for pancreatic cancer in the general population isn’t effective. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 60,430 people will be diagnosed with the disease in the U.S. this year. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has warned against screening the general population for pancreatic cancer because of the high risk of overdiagnosis and medical interventions that may cause more harm than benefit. However, the NCI is recruiting participants for a study to test different screening strategies.
The first stage of pancreatic cancer is typically the most difficult to detect. As it’s located deep within the body, early diagnosis is key in the disease. If diagnosed early, pancreatic cancer may be curable if it can be detected before it spreads. This will also give oncologists more options for treatment. Early detection of pancreatic cancer is crucial for patient survival, as the disease is hard to cure after it has spread.
