Pancreatic cancer - current management

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic cancer remains a common and lethal cancer with a median survival of approximately 6 months.

Objective: This article discusses the current management of pancreatic cancer, both potentially curative and palliative treatment.

Discussion: Surgical resection of the primary tumour is only possible in about 10% of cases as many patients have locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of presentation. For the majority of patients, treatment is palliative and may include surgical treatments or endoscopic or percutaneous stenting to relieve obstructive jaundice or gastric obstruction, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or interventional radiological techniques. Adequate pain relief and treatment of pancreatic insufficiency are important components of treatment.