We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Involved in Pancreatic Chemotherapy?

By C.B. Fox
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,884
Share

A patient who has cancer of the pancreas may be given pancreatic chemotherapy as a part of the treatment plan. Depending on the specifics of the cancer, the treatment may be given alone or may be used alongside other treatments, such as radiation and the surgical removal of the tumor. Chemotherapy drugs are usually given to patients through injection, intravenous line, or in the form of pills. The medications used in chemotherapy often cause severe side effects, though they can improve a patient's quality of life and improve his or her chance of surviving the cancer. Patients are often given pancreatic chemotherapy to prevent the cancer from returning once it has been surgically removed or to decrease the symptoms that the cancer is causing.

Whenever possible, a tumor in the pancreas is completely removed because this type of cancer is highly resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. The cytotoxic drugs used in chemotherapy are, however, frequently given to patients with pancreatic cancer both before and after the tumor removal. Many patients are given these two treatments together as they can significantly reduce the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body or recurring once it has been destroyed.

Though the cancer cells in pancreatic cancer are difficult to kill, pancreatic chemotherapy may also be given to patients who are unable to have the tumor surgically removed. In these cases, the purpose of the drugs is mainly to decrease the rate of growth of the tumor and to extend the patient's life. These drugs may also decrease the symptoms of the cancer, though they are unlikely to reverse the disease.

There are three main ways that pancreatic chemotherapy can be administered. The drugs may be administered in pill form or they may be injected with a needle or through an intravenous line. Chemotherapy drugs must be taken on a regular schedule in order to work properly, though the exact dosage and frequency will differ from patient to patient. A variety of different drugs can be prescribed, including cisplatin, mitomycin, and gemcitabine. A doctor will determine what combination of drugs to try based on the properties of the patient's cancer.

A patient who is undergoing pancreatic chemotherapy may experience a wide range of side effects. These drugs are known to cause nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and immune system suppression. Though not all patients can expect to have these problems, they are quite common. Part of chemotherapy treatment may include the use of medications that lessen the adverse effects of the chemotherapy.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-involved-in-pancreatic-chemotherapy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.