Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult forms of cancer to treat, and it is often fatal. While there is no known cure for pancreatic cancer, researchers have had some success in treating the disease. In some cases, patients have been able to achieve remission or even a cure.
Treating Pancreatic Cancer
The goal of treating pancreatic cancer is to slow the spread of the cancer and to increase the patient’s quality of life. Treatment options for pancreatic cancer include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. In some cases, a combination of these treatments is used.
Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for pancreatic cancer. Depending on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health, surgeons can perform a wide range of procedures to remove or shrink the tumor. The most common type of surgery is a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), which removes the head of the pancreas, part of the stomach, and part of the small intestine.
Radiation and Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used in combination with surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Targeted Drug Therapy
Targeted drug therapy is a newer form of treatment that uses drugs that specifically target cancer cells. These drugs work by blocking the growth of the cancer cells or by preventing them from spreading.
Curing Pancreatic Cancer
The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is often poor, but there have been cases in which the disease has been cured. In some cases, the cancer can be completely removed through surgery, and the patient can be declared cancer-free. In other cases, the cancer can be brought under control with chemotherapy and other treatments. In some rare cases, the cancer can even go into remission without any treatment.
