Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

• Before the treatment starts, the patient has to undergo a series of investigations to identify the stage, grade, location, and type of pancreatic cancer.

• The tests mostly include but are not limited to CT scan and MRI, full-body PET scan, biopsy, tumor markers, and other biochemistry tests.

• The intention is to have as much information about the tumor as possible and also check whether cancer has metastasized to the nearby tissues and organs.

• The treatment plan in the case of pancreatic cancer is very individualized and based on the results of the diagnostic tests, the best plan for the patient is prepared collaboratively by the medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists.

• Depending on the results of the investigations performed before the treatment, either surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of treatments is advised to the patient.

• Further instructions for preparation for the treatment may be shared by the concerned doctors, depending on the plan of action.

The methodology for pancreatic cancer treatment depends on what has been decided for the patient as per the test results.

The following three types of treatment may be conducted, independently or in a combination with one another.

Surgery: There are different types of surgeries that are possible in the case of pancreatic cancer, depending on the clinical status of the patient and the location of cancer. Surgery may be performed to remove the pancreatic head, pancreatic body and tail, or the entire pancreas. Sometimes, surgery is performed to remove the nearby blood vessels to which the tumor might have spread.

Chemotherapy: This is a systemic treatment in which a drug is administered weekly every 7 to 21 days, depending on which protocol has been advised. This form of treatment can be conducted before or after the surgery or sometimes both. Usually, patients are required to undergo 6 to 8 cycles of chemotherapy.

Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Sometimes, radiation therapy is conducted before the surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. Other times, it can be advised in combination with chemotherapy for cases where surgery is not possible.

Recovery of the patient depends on the type, stage, and grade of cancer. Also, it depends on which treatment is being applied to the patient.

Patients often need supportive care at home during the treatment and even after it has been concluded. The success of the treatment also depends on when cancer has been diagnosed.

Usually, it may take patients a few weeks to months to recover fully once the treatment has been concluded.