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Pancreatic cancer: treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Treatment of pancreatic cancer surgical - removal of the tumor and even the entire gland (in the absence of metastases) followed by symptomatic therapy of external and intrasecretory pancreatic insufficiency. However, a radical operation in connection with the relatively late diagnosis can be performed only in a minority of patients; in the majority of cases, it is necessary to limit oneself to symptomatic treatment. With pancreatic head cancer, which is taking place with mechanical jaundice, a palliative operation is performed - a bioliodigestive anastomosis is applied, ensuring the outflow of bile from the biliary tract into the intestine. Radiation therapy for this localization of cancer is ineffective. Chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (including in combination with mitomycin and adriamycin), ftorafur, etc. Has a temporary effect in about a third of patients. Treatment is carried out by oncologists.
Forecast. The course of pancreatic cancer is progressive with increasing symptoms; if no radical surgery was performed, the patient's life expectancy averages 6-14 months from the date of diagnosis.
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