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CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS FOR PANCREATIC CANCER
Surgery · Chemotherapy · Radiation · Side Effects · Experimental Treatments
& Clinical Trials · The Truth About Conventional Treatments
Surgery
According to the American Cancer Society, “80% of [pancreatic cancer] patients are diagnosed too late to be helped by surgery. Of those that may be helped by surgery, fewer than 40% are cured.” If surgery can be performed, the typical survival rate is 18 to 20 months. Furthermore, the surgeries for pancreatic cancer are intricate and complicated.
The surgeries available for pancreatic cancer are:
- Whipple Procedure - Removes portions of the pancreas, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine, and bile duct
- Total Pancreatectomy - Removes the entire pancreas, portions of the stomach, small intestine, bile duct, gallbladder, spleen, and lymph nodes near the pancreas
- Distal Pancreatectomy - Removes parts of the pancreas and typically the whole spleen
- Palliative Surgeries - A “palliative” surgery is one done to relieve a patient of symptoms, not to cure him or her. For pancreatic cancer, palliative surgeries are usually biliary and gastric bypasses. Bypass surgeries help relieve pain and discomfort if a tumor is blocking a duct coming from the pancreas. A “stent” can also achieve the same result. A stent is a tiny tube inserted into the duct to keep it open.
WHIPPLE PROCEDURE
KAREN BECKER'S EXPERIENCE
AS A WHIPPLE PATIENT
Chemotherapy fights cancer by using potent drugs to attack the cancer cells in various ways. For example, one drug may stop cells from dividing, while another reduces blood flow to tumors. Chemo is usually given with an I.V. but can also be in the form of a pill.
Currently, there are only three chemo drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pancreatic cancer. CHEMOTHERAPY DRUG COMBO SHOWS PROMISE IN
TARCEVA
ADVANCED PANCREATIC CANCER
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Radiation therapy basically relies on x-rays to destroy your cancer cells. Radiation can be done internally or externally. If it’s done internally, a radioactive substance is injected or planted into your body in a pod, catheter, or needle. If done externally, a device similar to an x-ray machine is used. Like pancreatic cancer surgeries, radiation can also be palliative. It may also be used in combination with chemotherapy.
RADIATION THERAPY AND
CANCER AWARENESS
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Side Effects
Here is a list of common side effects from the above treatments associated with pancreatic cancer. Remember, side effects are temporary and vary between people.
PREPARING MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY FOR CHEMO
Experimental Treatments & Clinical Trials
The National Cancer Institute, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and the Hirshberg Foundation all recommend that people with pancreatic cancer seriously consider taking part in a clinical trial due to the ineffectiveness of conventional treatments.
Participating in a clinical trial can give you more alternatives, get you in the door at a top facility to be seen by leading doctors, see to it that you are closely monitored, and help others who may be diagnosed in the future. On the other hand, there is a risk of unknown side effects, which can lead to serious complications and death. And, yes, clinical trials may also involve more of your time and money--both of which I‘m assuming are irrelevant to you right now.
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, call 1-877-272-6226 or e-mail pals@pancan.org. You can also try ClinicalTrials.Gov.
STUDY GIVES HOPE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER
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The Truth About Conventional Treatments In a comprehensive study appearing in Clinical Oncology in 2004, scientists and researchers evaluated the effectiveness of chemotherapy on all types and stages of cancer. The article, entitled “The Contribution of Cytotoxic Chemotherapy to 5-year Survival in Adult Malignancies,” shows that the pancreatic cancer drug gemcitabine (Gemzar) increased survival by 5.4 months. It only stopped pancreatic cancer’s progression for an average of 2.2 months. Overall, the study found that cytotoxic (or cell killing) chemo contributed about 2% to one’s overall chance of survival. Only 13 out of 22 types of cancer showed any improvement from chemo alone. Also, consider the cost of chemo drugs in Australia increased from $67 million to $101.3 million from June 2000 to June 2001. This is an increase of 51%. In 2006, the cost of chemo drugs rose 16% in the US. Furthermore, most people develop resistance to chemo drugs fairly quickly, allowing only a short window for effective results.
The truth is that nearly all traditional approaches to fighting pancreatic cancer fail. Conventional treatments are ineffective and do not significantly prolong survival. In the field of pancreatic cancer, a “success” is measured in additional months of life--not years. Still, there is hope!
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