Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive solid organ malignancy with a high mortality rate. There has only been significant improvement in the overall survival until the last 5–10 years. The current trend toward the neoadjuvant approach of pancreatic cancer has shown success in tumor response, resection rate, and even overall survival. Using dedicated pancreatic protocol cross-sectional imaging, one can now follow the tumor and pancreatic parenchyma interface as well as tumor markers to predict treatment response. Aggressive combination chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan), appropriate patient selection, and multidisciplinary treatment teams have made an impact in the current management of pancreatic cancer. Surgical intervention is still the mainstay treatment of pancreatic cancer. The role of routine radiation therapy is still unknown but may benefit in situations with positive margins.
Part of the book: Current Trends in Cancer Management