Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill pancreatic cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body. Targeted therapy attacks or blocks what the cancer needs to grow and spread.
Chemotherapy may be used:
For this type of cancer, radiation therapy is most often used with chemotherapy.
There are many types of these drugs. For pancreatic cancer, they work better when more than one is used. The choice and blend of drugs will be based on your cancer type and how you react to the drugs. The most common are:
Chemotherapy is most often given through an IV. But, some come in pill form. They're delivered in cycles over a set period. Your doctor will help find out how many cycles are needed and which drugs will work best.
Drugs are made to kill cancer, but they also harm healthy cells. The death of cancer cells and impact on healthy cells can cause a range of problems. The most common are:
Targeted therapy drugs attack cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Erlotinib is the only one used on pancreatic cancer. It's made to block a certain protein that makes the tumor grow. Erlotinib is given with gemcitabine.
Some problems are:
There are many ways to control problems. In some cases, the drugs can be changed to lessen how they make you feel. The earlier these problems are brought up to your doctor, the more likely they will be controlled.
Chemotherapy and other drugs for pancreatic cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/treating/chemotherapy.html. Updated May 31, 2017. Accessed October 24, 2018.
De La Cruz MD, Young AP, Ruffin MT. Diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer. Am Fam Physician. 2014;89(8):626-632.
Management of pancreatic cancer. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T906229/Management-o...ancreatic-cancer. Updated August 13, 2018. Accessed October 24, 2018.
Pancreatic cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/tumors-of-the-gi-tract/pancreatic-cancer. Updated October 2017. Accessed October 24, 2018.
Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/patient/pancreatic-treatment-pdq#section/_162. Updated May 23, 2018. Accessed October 24, 2018.
Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.