Pancreatic Cancer Treatment and Therapy Options
The location and size of the pancreatic cancer tumor will determine the treatment plan. The doctor will also recommend a treatment plan based on the patient’s overall health. If you experience pancreatic cancer in the early stage, there are better chances of success. There are various options for pancreatic cancer treatment. Let’s see further in the article which treatment options are more effective.
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Latest pancreatic cancer treatment
Targeted therapy is a method of eliminating cancer cells by using drugs that target specific abnormalities within them. These drugs stop the growth of cancer cells and prevent the mutations that turn normal cells into cancerous cells. Some drugs can also prevent the formation of blood vessels that supply nutrients to the pancreatic cancer tumors for growth and reproduction.
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With strong drugs and medicines, chemotherapy can stop the growth of cancer cells within the pancreas and other nearby organs. The drug can be administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly to the patient. The drug is absorbed into the bloodstream to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. However, therapies are also a part of pancreatic cancer treatment.
Radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer
Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy x-ray beams and other particles to kill pancreatic cancer. The oncologists use two types of radiation:
External beam radiation therapy: High energy beams are delivered to the patient’s body using a machine placed outside of the body.
Radiation therapy by internal beam: a radioactive substance is introduced to the patient’s body to reach the cancerous site. These radioactive substances can be inserted using a catheter, wire, or needle.
Radiation therapy can be an important treatment option for patients with pancreatic cancer, but it is not often contributing alone.
Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer need multiple therapeutic approaches to be treated effectively. Besides, patients with locally advanced or localized diseases may receive radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy. It can increase the survival rate.
How to know you have pancreatic cancer?
The top pancreatic cancer specialist in India may recommend a series of tests to confirm a diagnosis based on the patient’s symptoms. After the initial physical exam, the doctor will order other tests. These tests help determine if cancer cells have spread to other body parts or tissues.
- Blood test: To determine the level of bilirubin and other characteristics.
- CT scans: This is used to locate the tumor and determine the extent of its spread.
- PET scans: This is used to determine the extent and location of cancer in the pancreas and other parts of the body.
- Ultrasound: To visualize pancreatic cancer.
- Biopsy: To confirm whether or not there are cancer cells at the location.
Can surgery be used to treat pancreatic cancer?
The pancreas cancer surgery helps to remove the tumor and provide additional information. In addition, the doctor can do the surgery with curative intent for some patients suffering from earlier-stage cancers localized to their pancreas. Besides, surgery is more effective as a pancreatic cancer treatment.
For patients with supreme cancer, surgery is helpful to reduce symptoms and prevent obstruction of the bile stream.
Pancreatic cancer can lead to obstruction of the bile drain, which may cause jaundice (yellow discoloration). Surgery sometimes helps to prevent or treat obstructions of the stomach outlet.
Different types of options of surgery
The best treatment for pancreatic cancer is surgery, but only if confined to the pancreas or other surrounding organs. The surgeon will perform one or more of these surgeries depending on the exact location of cancer.
- Whipple’s surgery: The doctor removes the head of the pancreas along with most of the gallbladder, common and surrounding lymph nodes, as well as the lower end of the stomach. After the surgery, the doctor reconnects the digestive tract and biliary systems.
- Distal pancreatectomy (or distal pancreatectomy): This procedure involves the removal of the pancreas body and tail, along with the spleen.
- Total pancreatectomy is the procedure to remove the whole pancreas, small intestine, and any lymph nodes nearby.
Advanced chemotherapy
Any treatment that involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells is chemotherapy. You can either inject drugs into your body, use a vein or give the drugs as a pill orally.
Chemotherapy is different from radiation therapy or surgery in that it circulates in the blood to the areas where cancer has spread. As a result, it can kill or eradicate cancer cells at distant locations.
The doctor gives the drug usually in cycles so that there is a recovery period after each treatment.
Chemotherapy can help to kill cancer cells and prevent them from spreading. The doctor may prescribe alone or combine with other treatments. In addition, the doctor can use it to relieve symptoms in later stages.
Immunotherapy for weak immune cancer patient
Immunotherapy, also known as biologic therapy, is a form of immunotherapy that boosts your body’s natural defenses to identify and destroy cancer cells.
- Helping your immune system destroy cancer cells
- How to stop or slow down the growth of cancer cells
- Clinical trials are underway at the cancer hospital in Delhi for immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Palliative Care for pancreatic cancer patient
Palliative medicine is the medical care that provides pain relief and other symptoms with serious illnesses. The specialists will work closely with your family and other doctors to offer additional support. Palliative care is available for patients undergoing chemotherapy or surgery.
Palliative care is helpful alongside other treatments, even as soon as the doctor diagnoses cancer. It will help patients with cancer feel better and may live longer.
Teams of specially trained professionals provide palliative care. These teams work together to improve the quality and life of cancer patients and their families. Palliative care does not include hospice or end-of-life care. Instead, pancreatic cancer treatment includes surgeries and therapies.
Life after the cancer treatment
Many challenges can arise after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It would help if you allowed yourself to adjust to the emotional and physical changes. You can create a new routine that fits your needs and the symptoms you are dealing with. It may take time for your family and friends to adjust.
Some people can get rid of cancer with treatment. Others will need ongoing treatment to manage their symptoms. In addition, pancreatic cancer can cause a variety of emotions.
Word of Wisdom
Advanced-stage pancreatic cancer patients have the option of a longer life expectancy due to the availability of treatment options. Besides, you can also take complete treatment at a cancer hospital in Delhi. Some people may decide to stop trying treatments that are ineffective in controlling their cancer. However, there are still ways to improve or maintain your quality of living, regardless of whether you decide to continue treatment.
People might decide not to treat their cancer, particularly if they experience it at an early stage. There are many reasons why you might not want to receive cancer treatment. However, it is important to speak to your doctor before making that decision.
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