Palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer: is It worthwhile?

The role of palliative chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) in pancreatic cancer is discussed. In patients with disseminated pancreatic cancer chemoradiotherapy has so far not been effective in prolonging survival. Recent trials with gemcitabine has shown a modest improvement in clinical benefit and survival. Patients with locally advanced disease should be offered 5-fluorouracil and radiation therapy, as valid data have repeatedly shown better median survival compared to no therapy. The option of a second-look laparotomy to evaluate resectability after palliative chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced disease should be applied liberally because currently available imaging techniques sometimes do not accurately reflect tumor size and tumor progression. New treatment strategies, such as regional perfusion, are being investigated.