Hope for pancreatic cancer: advances in treatment 

 

Pancreatic cancer is known for being a difficult cancer to detect and treat. It is the seventh leading cause of global cancer deaths in industrialized countries and the third most common in the USA, despite accounting for only about 3% of diagnosed cancers.

 

The cause of pancreatic cancer is not clear and research is ongoing. Some factors such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, and some genetic mutations have been shown to increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

 

Why is pancreatic cancer difficult to treat? 

 

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect in the early stages of the disease. The most commonly found type of pancreatic cancer has a tendency to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body quickly, and recur after surgical removal. Currently, the majority of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage when they have  already spread, making treatment challenging.

However, there is cause for hope. Research is enabling earlier detection and advances in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, with the potential to improve survival rates.

How is the treatment of pancreatic cancer improving?

Treatment options depend on the type, location and stage of the cancer. In general, the earlier a cancer is detected, the better the prognosis. Treatments for pancreatic cancer are becoming safer and more precise. Studies have found that survival rates are improving for cancers found in the early stages. Clinical trials are being conducted to find more effective ways to treat pancreatic cancer.

 

Advances in chemotherapy

 

Chemotherapy drugs may be either injected or taken by mouth to help kill cancer cells, relieve symptoms and prolong survival. New types of chemotherapy and new ways to combine chemotherapy drugs are currently undergoing clinical trials in order to find more effective treatments.

 

Advances in radiotherapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. Technology is continually advancing to enable more precise delivery of radiotherapy to tumours while minimizing any unwanted radiation to the rest of the body.

 

Improved surgical techniques

New surgical techniques and improved post-operative care, alongside advances in chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink tumours pre-operatively, mean that more pancreatic cancers can be treated surgically. For suitable cases, tumours can be removed more safely with smaller incisions using minimally invasive procedures, and sometimes even robotic-assisted surgery. Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is performed through tiny abdominal incisions using a thin, lighted tube with a camera on its tip (a laparoscope).

 

New immunotherapy drugs

 

Immunotherapy interferes with proteins produced by cancer cells which prevent them from being attacked by the body’s immune system. This enables the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer in cases where surgery is not an option. There are currently many clinical trials for new immunotherapy drugs.

Targeted drug therapies

Targeted drug therapies target specific weaknesses present within cancer cells, causing the cancer cells to die. Some clinical trials have focused on certain genetic mutations associated with a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Improved palliative care

Medical advances in supportive, or palliative, care are enabling better management of symptoms and improved quality of life for cancer patients. Palliative care is beneficial at all stages from diagnosis to during and after treatment, and can help improve outcomes and well-being.

 

Remember:

 

Early detection can improve treatment outcomes. Consult your doctor if you experience unexplained symptoms, develop diabetes over the age of 50, or have a family history of pancreatic cancer.