Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. A minority of patients are candidates for surgical resection, but most treatment strategies focus on palliative care.
Methods: We discuss strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer by reviewing available phase II and phase III trials, as well as large retrospective studies.
Results: Surgical resection for pancreatic cancer is done today with an operative mortality rate below 5% and a 5-year survival rate of approximately 25%. There is evidence that chemoradiation may improve survival and quality of life in both the adjuvant setting and for locally advanced disease. Operative, minimally invasive, and endoscopic techniques are successful in palliating pain and jaundice.
Conclusions: The diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer continue to improve although most patients will succumb to their disease. Novel methods of earlier detection and more effective systemic therapies are needed to significantly improve outcomes.