[New developments in the treatment of pancreatic cancer]

Abstract

- The incidence of pancreatic cancer is increasing due to the ageing population among other things, while 5-year survival has improved in the past two decades from 3 to 7%.- In case of biliary obstruction due to pancreatic cancer, biliary drainage before surgery or ablative therapy using a covered metal stent instead of plastic reduces the rate of complications.- In patients with metastasized pancreatic cancer a combination of folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) results in improved survival. Approximately 20% of patients with locally, unresectable pancreatic cancer can undergo surgical resection following treatment with FOLFIRINOX.- The effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation, irreversible electroporation and stereotactic radiotherapy for locally, unresectable pancreatic cancer is currently investigated in multicenter trials.- The effectiveness of neo-adjuvant chemoradiation and minimal invasive surgery in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer is currently investigated in randomized multicenter trials.