http://www.latestcancernews.com/what-is-the-current-treatment-and-prognosis-for-the-average-survival-rate-of-pancreas-cancer latest cancer News cancer articles cancer treatments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:29:18 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 http://www.latestcancernews.com/what-is-the-current-treatment-and-prognosis-for-the-average-survival-rate-of-pancreas-cancer/comment-page-1#comment-636 Dave Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:53:54 +0000 http://www.latestcancernews.com/?p=283#comment-636 very low Usually die within 4-6 months very low
Usually die within 4-6 months

]]> http://www.latestcancernews.com/what-is-the-current-treatment-and-prognosis-for-the-average-survival-rate-of-pancreas-cancer/comment-page-1#comment-634 Garret Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:28:19 +0000 http://www.latestcancernews.com/?p=283#comment-634 Generally speaking, there are only two treatments for pancreatic cancer, depending on both the stage as well as the location on the pancreas. The surgical treatment, coupled with post-surgical chemo-therapy, can be subdivided into two types: A. The Whipple Procedure: When pancreatic cancer involving the head of the pancreas is diagnosed, the removal of the head of the pancreas as well as the curve of the duodenum (Pancreato-Duodenectomy) is performed, whereas bypassing the stomach to the jejunum of the intestine is necessary. This procedure can only be performed if the cancer is localized to the head of the pancreas only, and has not metastasized to adjacent parts or organs. B. Distal Pancreatectomy is performed when cancer involves the body and the distal part of the pancreas, in which they are removed. In this case, the spleen is mostly preserved. In both cases, the procedure can be very vastly invasive, and as such, not only does the patient need to meet the diagnostic criteria of being diagnosed at a sufficiently early stage, without any metastasis, but that the patient should be in a condition that is good enough to undergo majorly ivnasive surgery of this caliber. However, there have been attempts at performing such procedures laparoscopically, being minimally invasive. However, many oncologists generally prefer performing the procedure the "usual" way, as they get a better look of things and get to be more aggressive in terms of removal of affected organs as they need to be. Needless to say, not many patients meet those criteria, simply due to the fact that pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at more advanced stages, and considering the fact that patients aren't always in the physical condition to withstand surgery. The alternative treatment is chemotherapy using gemcitabine, for patients who are not fit for surgery, is used. It does not cure the cancer, but it improves the 5-year survival rate by 20% at best, sadly. However, it does improve the quality of life for patients. The average survival rate from diagnosis on is generally 3-6 months in metastasized/advaced stage cancer, in which cases they are deemed terminal. However, if it is diagnozed sufficiently early, the prognosis can be very good-- with surgery and chemotherapy, the patient -can- actually have a full recovery, except for becoming diabetic. But again, sadly, pancreatic cancer patients are often diagnosed at advanced stages due to the aggressive nature of the malignancy as well as the type of symptoms it presents with, which generally leads patients to dismiss it until it has metastasized and is causing more serious symptoms. Generally speaking, there are only two treatments for pancreatic cancer, depending on both the stage as well as the location on the pancreas.
The surgical treatment, coupled with post-surgical chemo-therapy, can be subdivided into two types:
A. The Whipple Procedure: When pancreatic cancer involving the head of the pancreas is diagnosed, the removal of the head of the pancreas as well as the curve of the duodenum (Pancreato-Duodenectomy) is performed, whereas bypassing the stomach to the jejunum of the intestine is necessary. This procedure can only be performed if the cancer is localized to the head of the pancreas only, and has not metastasized to adjacent parts or organs.
B. Distal Pancreatectomy is performed when cancer involves the body and the distal part of the pancreas, in which they are removed. In this case, the spleen is mostly preserved.
In both cases, the procedure can be very vastly invasive, and as such, not only does the patient need to meet the diagnostic criteria of being diagnosed at a sufficiently early stage, without any metastasis, but that the patient should be in a condition that is good enough to undergo majorly ivnasive surgery of this caliber. However, there have been attempts at performing such procedures laparoscopically, being minimally invasive. However, many oncologists generally prefer performing the procedure the “usual” way, as they get a better look of things and get to be more aggressive in terms of removal of affected organs as they need to be.
Needless to say, not many patients meet those criteria, simply due to the fact that pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at more advanced stages, and considering the fact that patients aren’t always in the physical condition to withstand surgery.
The alternative treatment is chemotherapy using gemcitabine, for patients who are not fit for surgery, is used. It does not cure the cancer, but it improves the 5-year survival rate by 20% at best, sadly. However, it does improve the quality of life for patients.
The average survival rate from diagnosis on is generally 3-6 months in metastasized/advaced stage cancer, in which cases they are deemed terminal. However, if it is diagnozed sufficiently early, the prognosis can be very good– with surgery and chemotherapy, the patient -can- actually have a full recovery, except for becoming diabetic. But again, sadly, pancreatic cancer patients are often diagnosed at advanced stages due to the aggressive nature of the malignancy as well as the type of symptoms it presents with, which generally leads patients to dismiss it until it has metastasized and is causing more serious symptoms.

]]> http://www.latestcancernews.com/what-is-the-current-treatment-and-prognosis-for-the-average-survival-rate-of-pancreas-cancer/comment-page-1#comment-635 Chimera Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:06:18 +0000 http://www.latestcancernews.com/?p=283#comment-635 Dr. Oz had a great episode about Pancreatic Cancer, he stated that once it is diagnosed usually the survival rate is three to six months. Five year survival rate he stated on the show Friday is 5% after five years. Look at Patrick Swayze he survived for 20 months. Dr. Oz had a great episode about Pancreatic Cancer, he stated that once it is diagnosed usually the survival rate is three to six months. Five year survival rate he stated on the show Friday is 5% after five years.
Look at Patrick Swayze he survived for 20 months.

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