Pancreatic cancer is an extremely serious form of cancer that usually has a poor prognosis. Surgery is an option for some patients, as well as treatments used before an operation.
Pancreatic Cancer
The pancreas is a vital organ essential in digestion and metabolism. Pancreatic cancer affects the tissues of the organ, and can spread throughout the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, it's usually difficult to detect early and spreads rapidly, hence the poor prognosis.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the cancer, when possible, or prevent it from growing. Treatment depends largely on the stage, and the Mayo Clinic states that surgery works only in a small amount of cases. Non-surgical treatments are more common.
Radiation
Radiation involves the use of high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Doctors often use radiation before surgery, to prevent the cancer from growing.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs--taken orally or directed into a vein--are given to stop the growth of cancer. Occasionally, chemo will be combined with radiation as a treatment for cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas.
Targeted Drug Therapy
Targeted drug therapy is a newer form of treatment for pancreatic cancer, reports the Mayo Clinic. These drugs focus on abnormalities inside cancer cells, blocking chemicals that stimulate cell growth and division.
Tags: Mayo Clinic, cancer cells, cancer that, from growing, poor prognosis
