Pancreatic cancer occurs when cancer cells begin to grow and multiply within the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind the stomach and is responsible for producing digestive juices and producing hormones that help with blood sugar regulation. Treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on the stage of your cancer and your overall general health. There are several treatment options for pancreatic cancer.
Surgery
If imaging tests show a reasonable chance of completely removing the cancer, surgery should be done if possible, as it offers the only chance to cure this disease, reports the American Cancer Society. A resection of the pancreas may be done if the cancer is limited to a small area, or a complete pancreatectomy (removal of the entire pancreas) may be done. Other surgical procedures include the Whipple procedure. This is a surgical procedure in which the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine and the bile duct are removed, according to the National Cancer Institute. In a Whipple procedure, part of the pancreas is left behind to produce digestive juices and hormones.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation waves to kill cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. Radiation can be done externally or internally. During external radiation, a machine outside the body directs rays to the affected area. To deliver radiation internally, small radioactive seeds or catheters are placed inside the body to fight cancer cells. Radiation may be done prior to or following surgery, depending on your individual treatment plan.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses potent drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from dividing and spreading. It may be given orally in the form of a pill, or intravenously through a vein. Chemotherapy can also be given regionally, where it is placed inside the body near the affected area. According to the American Cancer Society, a recent study has shown that giving gemcitabine chemotherapy after surgery can delay the average time before cancer returns by about six months.
