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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer by Type > Pancreatic Cancer: Introduction > Pancreatic Cancer: Treatment

Pancreatic Cancer: Treatment

The treatments for pancreatic adenocarcinoma are dependent on the stage at which it is diagnosed. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The treatments chosen are dependent on the size of the tumor, its location within the pancreas, and stage of the cancer.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

As our focus is on the biology of the cancers and their treatments, we do not give detailed treatment guidelines. Instead, we link to organizations in the U.S. that generate the treatment guidelines.⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) lists the following treatments for pancreatic adenocarcinoma:

• Chemotherapy
• Surgical Resection: surgical removal of the tumor (applicable to early stage tumors).
• Radiation Therapy: use of ionizing radiation to eliminate fast growing cancer cells.
• Palliative Care and Pain Management: Intrapleural/Celiac block is used to prevent pain associated with some cases of pancreatic cancer.

Learn more about the treatment for pancreatic cancer at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

Learn more about cancer treatments

Information about clinical trials:

• General clinical trial information from CancerQuest
• Click here for information about clinical trials from the National Cancer Institute.
• Click here for information about clinical trials from Georgia Clinical Trials Online.
• Click here for information about clinical trials at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

References for this page:

1. Thomson BN, Banting SW, Gibbs P. Pancreatic cancer - current management. Australian Family Physician. 2006; 35(4): 212-17 [PUBMED]
2. National Cancer Institute. "Pancreatic Cancer Treatment (PDQ)." US National Institutes of Health. (2008) [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/pancreatic/healthprofessional/allpages]
3. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. "Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma." NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology V. 1.2008. (2007) [http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/pancreatic.pdf]
4. R Freelove and AD Walling. Pancreatic Cancer: Diagnosis and Management. American Family Physician. 2006; 73(1):485-92. [PUBMED]