When is pancreatic cancer not treatable with surgery?

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer originates from the cells that make up the pancreas and presents as a mass due to the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells.

The pancreas contains both endocrine and exocrine cells. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is "ductal adenocarcinoma," which originates from the cells that form the exocrine ducts. Less commonly, there are "neuroendocrine" cancers that originate from the endocrine glands.

How is pancreatic cancer treated?

Surgery is the only treatment method that offers a chance for a cure in pancreatic cancer. In cases where the cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas, surgery with clear margins is the most radical treatment. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also commonly used as adjuvant treatments in pancreatic cancer.

When is pancreatic cancer surgery not possible?

Surgery cannot be performed in cases where the cancer has spread outside the pancreas, metastasized to nearby or distant organs, or encircled vital blood vessels. The type, location, spread, and involvement of surrounding vessels determine whether surgery is an option.

In some patients with advanced-stage pancreatic cancer, treatment is initially started with chemotherapy. Surgery may be performed for those who respond well to chemotherapy and whose cancer can be retracted to surgical margins.

What happens if surgery is not possible for pancreatic cancer?

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are alternative treatment options. Nowadays, research on targeted drug therapies for cancer is also ongoing.

Can pancreatic cancer be cured?

There are cases where patients recover from pancreatic cancer, depending on the type and spread of the disease. However, early diagnosis is the most crucial factor in achieving a cure. Unfortunately, in advanced stages, the long-term survival rate is very low.