Neoadjuvant strategy as initial treatment in resectable pancreatic cancer: concrete evidence of benefit

Abstract

Pancreatoduodenectomy remains the recommended treatment in potentially curative strategies for pancreatic carcinoma. Due to high local failure rates even after complete resection, a multi-modality treatment approach is paramount in the management of resectable disease. Despite there being insufficient evidence to recommend a specific neoadjuvant strategy, several studies have tested the use of preoperative chemoradiotherapy in this sub-group of patients, achieving promising results. The treatment is well-tolerated, with higher rates of negative margins and lower rates of lymph node positivity at resection, a decrease in local failure and benefit in overall survival. Considering the poor oncological results after primary surgical treatment, neoadjuvant strategy should be considered as a valid alternative in resectable pancreatic carcinoma.

Keywords: Pancreas; neoadjuvant treatment; pancreatic cancer; review.