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Currently, there are many ways to treat pancreatic cancer to help improve patient survival rates and improve quality of life, such as surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, ... Each treatment method has both benefits and risks. Therefore, patients should discuss with their doctor carefully before making a decision on the treatment option.
1. Treatment of pancreatic cancer with surgery
Pancreatic cancer is a condition in which cancer cells develop inside the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer in the expert opinion is pancreatic carcinoma (affecting the exocrine cells). Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are the less common form of pancreatic cancer, accounting for less than 2% of diagnoses.One of the most commonly used methods to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer is surgery. Currently, the most commonly used surgical methods for this cancer, include:
1.1 Pancreasectomy (Whipple) The doctor will remove the head of the pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. , duodenum (small intestine), part of the stomach (pylorus), and surrounding lymph nodes. The retained part of the pancreas will continue to perform the function of secreting digestive juices and insulin in the body. Another type of Whipple surgery that is also used is the pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. This procedure is performed like a standard Whipple surgery, but retains the pylorus (stomach).
1.2 Pancreatectomy For pancreatic cancer treatment with pancreatectomy, the patient may receive the following options:
Distal pancreatectomy: Removal of the body and tail of the pancreas, accompanied by the spleen through open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Total pancreatectomy: The entire pancreas, part of the small intestine and stomach, gallbladder, common bile duct, spleen, and lymph nodes are removed. 1.3 Palliative surgery This type of surgery is often indicated to help patients relieve or prevent flare-ups of symptoms caused by pancreatic cancer. Some palliative surgical options for pancreatic cancer include:
Endoscopic stenting: Unlocking the bile duct by placing a thin stent into the bile duct endoscopically or during percutaneous cholangiography ( PTC). This procedure allows bile to flow into the small intestine or through a catheter to the gallbladder placed outside the patient's body. Bypass surgery: Bile from the bile duct is redirected directly to the small intestine. Gastric bypass: The stomach will be connected directly to the small intestine. Biliary tract surgery: In cases where the small intestine is blocked by a pancreatic tumor, bile accumulates in the gallbladder. At that time, the doctor will appoint to perform biliary tract surgery, cholecystectomy or common bile duct to connect directly to the small intestine. The open or laparoscopic approach to these procedures is often based on several factors. You can talk to your doctor about the type of surgery that's best for you.
1.4 Surgery for neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas For this type of surgery, the patient will be applied one of the following two methods:
Laparoscopy : Helps determine the extent of cancer metastasis , which is done through small incisions and uses a thin endoscope with a camera to evaluate organs and take biopsies. Nucleotomy: Removal of the tumor itself, often used for small tumors.
2. What are the possible risks when treating pancreatic cancer with surgery?
With any type of surgery, there are certain risks involved, including:
Leakage of pancreatic juice into the intestines. Stomach paralysis. Slow gastric emptying. Long-term digestive problems such as poor absorption of food, changes in bowel habits, dietary changes, weight loss, and diabetes. Infection/bleeding.
3. Medicines to treat pancreatic cancer are popular today
Currently, there are many drugs to treat pancreatic cancer that are prescribed by doctors, specifically:
3.1 Chemotherapy drugs The treatment of pancreatic cancer with chemotherapy drugs is carefully considered by specialists based on on the assessment of response ability, health status as well as economic condition of each patient. Moreover, in addition to bringing benefits to the treatment of pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy drugs also have many potential risks to the patient's health if used in the wrong way. Therefore, patients need to strictly adhere to the regimen prescribed by the doctor.
The most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for patients with pancreatic cancer include:
5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Gemcitabine. Capecitabine (Xeloda). Pacuminaxel (Abraxane). Cisplatin. Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin). Irinotecan (Camptosar). For patients with advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer, several chemotherapy drugs are preferred, including: Gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), Capecitabine (Xeloda), Liposomal Irinotecan (Onivyde), Irinotecan (Camptosar), Paclitaxel (Taxol), Abraxane, and Docetaxel (Taxotere).
3.2 Targeted drugs in the treatment of pancreatic cancer Based on the progress and health of the patient, the doctor may prescribe a number of targeted drugs, typically Erlotinib (Tarceva). This is a drug that has the ability to target proteins on cancer cells (EGFR). For patients with pancreatic cancer, erlotinib is often used in combination with the chemotherapy drug Gemcitabine. This combination, although highly effective, can cause some side effects such as skin rash, diarrhea, fatigue or loss of appetite.
3.3 Medicines to support treatment and pain relief from pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer patients often suffer from pain that causes loss of appetite, insomnia, even reduced mental strength. To deal with this situation, doctors can prescribe pain relievers for patients such as:
Opioid group: Tramadol, Codeine, Morphin, Pethidine, Oxycodone,... Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group: Ibuprofen, Paracetamol , Naproxen, Aspirin,... Besides, in order to help improve the patient's resistance, doctors can also add other supportive drugs to the treatment regimen such as immune system boosters. and other organs, vitamins, tranquilizers,...
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has been implementing cancer screening packages. At Vinmec, there are fully modern diagnostic facilities such as: PET/CT, SPECT/CT, MRI..., blood marrow test, histopathology, immunohistochemistry test, gene test, lab test molecular biology, as well as a full range of targeted drugs, the most advanced immunotherapy drugs in cancer treatment. Multimodal cancer treatment from surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy in cancer treatment, new treatments such as autoimmunotherapy body, heat therapy...
After having an accurate diagnosis of the disease and stage, the patient will be consulted to choose the most appropriate and effective treatment methods. The treatment process is always closely coordinated with many specialties: Diagnostic Imaging, Biochemistry, Immunology, Cardiology, Stem Cells and Gene Technology; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Endocrinology, Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Psychology, Department of Nutrition... to bring the highest efficiency and comfort to patients. After undergoing the treatment phase, the patient will also be monitored and re-examined to determine whether the cancer treatment is effective or not.
Thanks to modern facilities, a team of qualified doctors and excellent medical services, have brought confidence, health and good quality of life to patients who come to visit and treat diseases at the hospital. Vinmec.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
Reference source: oncolink.org
