Question

Palliative therapy in pancreatic cancer.

Hint:

Palliative care is an essential part of managing advanced pancreatic cancer, focusing on improving comfort and quality of life for patients.

Answer 1

Palliative therapy in pancreatic cancer aims to improve the quality of life by alleviating symptoms and managing complications, particularly in patients with advanced disease who are not candidates for surgery.
Step 1: Types of Palliative Therapies:
1. Pain Management: Pancreatic cancer often causes significant abdominal pain, which can be managed with analgesics such as opioids, and nerve blocks like celiac plexus block.
2. Stent Placement: In cases of obstructive jaundice, a stent may be placed in the bile duct to alleviate bile obstruction and improve liver function.
3. Nutritional Support: Due to malnutrition caused by pancreatic insufficiency, patients may benefit from pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and dietary modifications.
Step 2: Chemotherapy and Radiation:
1. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy can provide symptom relief, reduce tumor size, and potentially improve survival in some patients. Common regimens include gemcitabine or FOLFIRINOX.
2. Radiation Therapy: Palliative radiation may be used to shrink tumors, alleviate obstruction, and reduce pain.