The short answer
Pancreatic cancer treatment depends on whether the cancer can be removed with surgery. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and supportive care to relieve symptoms. Chemotherapy is often used before or after surgery, or as the main treatment.
Treatment depends heavily on whether the cancer can be removed with surgery.
Surgery, when possible, offers the best chance of long-term control.
Chemotherapy is often used before or after surgery, or as a main treatment.
Radiation may be used in some situations.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Pancreatic cancer treatment depends most on whether the cancer can be removed with surgery. When surgery is possible, it offers the best chance of long-term control. Chemotherapy, radiation, and supportive care play important roles at every stage.
Surgery
When the cancer is resectable, surgery removes the affected part of the pancreas and nearby tissue. One common operation is the Whipple procedure. Surgery is major, and your team will explain what recovery involves.
When surgery is possible, it offers the best chance of long-term control.
Chemotherapy and radiation
Chemotherapy is often used before surgery to shrink the tumor, after surgery to lower the chance of return, or as the main treatment when surgery is not possible. Radiation may be used in some situations, sometimes with chemotherapy.
Supportive care
Supportive (palliative) care relieves symptoms such as pain, digestive problems, and jaundice, and can be given alongside other treatment at any stage. It is an important part of care that improves quality of life. Ask about clinical trials, too.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What are the main treatments?
Surgery (when the cancer is removable), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and supportive care. The plan depends on the stage and whether surgery is possible.
▸When is surgery an option?
Surgery is an option when the cancer is resectable or becomes removable after other treatment. It offers the best chance of long-term control but is a major operation.
▸How is chemotherapy used?
Chemotherapy is often given before surgery to shrink the tumor, after surgery to lower the chance of return, or as the main treatment when surgery is not possible.
▸What is supportive care?
Supportive (palliative) care relieves symptoms such as pain, digestive problems, and jaundice. It can be given alongside other treatment at any stage and improves quality of life.
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