Treatment Options For Pancreatic Cancer

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and stop the growing process. The rays are aimed at the pancreas from various angles from an external machine. Radiation is often used following surgery to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer returning. It is also used as an alternative to surgery for those who cannot tolerate surgery as a treatment. Radiation may also be used before surgery if the tumor is too large to remove with surgery alone, as it can shrink the tumor beforehand. When pancreatic cancer has spread, radiation is often paired with chemotherapy (both in high doses) as treatment.

Learn about chemotherapy and pancreatic cancer next.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses strong medication to kill cells that are rapidly dividing and growing. Doctors may use chemotherapy alone, before surgery, or after surgery to treat pancreatic cancer. Patients who cannot have surgery can also have chemotherapy paired with radiation to treat their tumors.

When used to treat this kind of cancer, chemotherapy is the most effective when patients receive at least 2 drugs at the same time. Rounds of treatment usually last 2 to 3 weeks followed by a period of rest. The rounds required can vary a fair amount from patient to patient depending on the extent of their cancer and other treatments used.

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