Surgical Treatment of Advanced Pancreatic Carcinoma

Abstract

Gemcitabine monotherapy extends survival times in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma compared with supportive treatment alone. Among patients who develop skin lesions of grade 2 or more, giving erlotinib in addition doubles survival times - from 5.9 to 10.5 months. Attempting therapy with gemcitabine plus erlotinib is therefore sensible. In patients with a good performance status, survival times can be extended using the combinations gemcitabine plus capecitabine or gemcitabine plus platinum. Radiochemotherapy is not sensible. For second-line treatment, oxaliplatin, 5-FU, and folic acid can be used.