Recent progress in pancreatic cancer

CA Cancer J Clin. 2013 Sep;63(5):318-48. doi: 10.3322/caac.21190. Epub 2013 Jul 15.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is currently one of the deadliest of the solid malignancies. However, surgery to resect neoplasms of the pancreas is safer and less invasive than ever, novel drug combinations have been shown to improve survival, advances in radiation therapy have resulted in less toxicity, and enormous strides have been made in the understanding of the fundamental genetics of pancreatic cancer. These advances provide hope but they also increase the complexity of caring for patients. It is clear that multidisciplinary care that provides comprehensive and coordinated evaluation and treatment is the most effective way to manage patients with pancreatic cancer.

Keywords: medical oncology; molecular biology; pancreatic neoplasms; radiation oncology; radiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / etiology
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Risk Factors