Pancreas Cancer Cure

As an exocrine gland, the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes that combine with bile from the liver and gallbladder, emptying into the duodenum (or small intestine) to digest proteins and fats. As an endocrine gland, collections of specialized cells in the pancreas (islets of Langerhans) secrete the hormone insulin, which controls the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood, and glucagon and somatostatin, which also help control glucose levels. Cancer can occur in any part of the pancreas.

Surgery

• One major problem with surgical treatment is that pancreatic cancer is often advanced before symptoms (pain, weight loss, jaundice, diabetes, anemia) occur. A laparoscopy (a flexible tube inserted into the abdomen with a camera at the end) is usually done prior to surgery to examine for metastasis (or spreading of the cancer); if the cancer has metastasized, the tumor is inoperable.
  The National Cancer Institute state that 90 percent of tumors arise in the ducts, most in the head of the pancreas (near the duodenum). Localized tumors of the head of the pancreas, which usually block bile drainage, or the islets of Langerhans, which alter insulin levels, can be removed surgically.
  Surgery usually includes removal of part of the stomach, part of the pancreas, the gall bladder and ducts and the duodenum (in what is called the Whipple procedure). All or part of the pancreas can be removed, but complete removal causes severe diabetes. If surgical removal of the tumor isn't possible, sometimes a stent (tube) is placed in the ducts to keep them open and relieve symptoms.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy is usually given after surgical removal of a tumor to ensure control of any unidentified spread of cancer cells outside of the pancreas. Chemotherapy is also given to directly treat the cancer if it has spread and is inoperable. Survival rates have been very poor with chemotherapy, but recently, according to the National Pancreas Foundation, a new agent, gemcitabin, is showing promise. The chemotherapeutic agent most commonly used is 5-fluoroucil (5-FU), which has severe side effects.
  Current clinical studies are comparing the use of gemcitabin alone, in combination with 5-FU and in combination with other drugs to determine the best treatment approach. Additionally, clinical studies are evaluating a new type of drug that inhibits an enzyme (farnesyl transferase) that is active with cancer.

Radiation

• Radiation is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer after surgery or when the cancer is inoperable. The chemotherapy provides systemic treatment, while radiation provides local treatment, as the only cells affected are those that directly receive radiation. In some cases, radiation may be used to shrink tumors to relieve pain or symptoms, even if a cure is not possible.
  A newer form of treatment is stereotactic radiosurgery with CyberKnife, a computerized system that focuses multiple beams of radiation on small sites. Rocky Mountain CyberKnife reports that studies have shown that CyberKnife treatment shrinks or stops the growth of pancreatic tumors. Clinical studies are in progress at Stanford University, using CyberKnife treatment after chemotherapy.