Palliative strategies for locally advanced unresectable and metastatic pancreatic cancer

Surg Clin North Am. 2001 Jun;81(3):651-66. doi: 10.1016/s0039-6109(05)70151-1.

Abstract

Technical improvement in perioperative morbidity and mortality with improved long-term survival associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy for patients with pancreatic carcinoma has clearly established a role for this operation when performed with curative intent. Most patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma will not be candidates for surgical resection of their disease. These patients will experience significant symptoms potentially requiring surgical and nonsurgical palliative interventions to treat unrelieved cancer-associated pain, obstructive jaundice, or the development of GOO. The primary goal for palliative interventions should be to relieve symptoms with minimal morbidity and to maintain or improve the quality of life for patients with an expected limited survival.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Algorithms
  • Cholestasis / etiology
  • Cholestasis / therapy
  • Decision Trees
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / etiology
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / surgery
  • Humans
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Management
  • Palliative Care / methods*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*