[Neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer]

Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 2005 Oct;27(5):644-7.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer remains a major troublesome clinical problem, with conventional cancer treatments having little impact on disease course. The extent of disease is often classified as localized, locally advanced, and metastatic. Radical operation is the most effective method, but only 15%-20% of patients have resectable disease, and around 20% of them survive to 5 years. For locally advanced, unresectable, and metastatic diseases, palliative treatment is more appropriate, but the median survival in these patients is less than 6 months and the 5-year survival rates are even lower than 4%. Neoadjuvant therapy has been gradually accepted in breast cancer and gastroenterological cancer, and its value in pancreatic cancer has attracted increasing interests. This paper reviews recent advances of neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / adverse effects
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / methods*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / methods