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Palliative treatment of pancreatic cancer
Author(s) -
VON WICHERT Götz,
SEUFFERLEIN Thomas,
ADLER Guido
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of digestive diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1751-2980
pISSN - 1751-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1443-9573.2007.00314.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pancreatic cancer , chemotherapy , palliative chemotherapy , therapeutic modalities , palliative treatment , palliative care , intensive care medicine , modalities , palliative therapy , therapeutic approach , presentation (obstetrics) , cancer , oncology , stage (stratigraphy) , surgery , nursing , disease , paleontology , social science , sociology , biology
Despite numerous diagnostic possibilities the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is still an exemption. Only 10–15% of patients are diagnosed at a stage where the tumor is resectable. Thus, most patients are treated with a palliative intention at first diagnosis. Palliative treatment comprises different therapeutic modalities involving radiochemotherapy and conventional chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, in particular, has been challenged by several new concepts involving combination regimens and the addition of targeted therapies to conventional therapeutic regimens. This review offers a critical presentation of current concepts in the palliative treatment of pancreatic cancer, discussing the problems of each and pointing to the development of new therapeutic strategies.