Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Options

Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

A key factor in planning your treatment is whether the cancer can be surgically removed.

• Curative (potentially curative) surgery: When pancreatic cancer is found early and can be fully removed, surgery offers the best chance for long-term control.

• Palliative surgery: If the cancer cannot be completely removed, surgery may still be recommended to relieve symptoms, such as blockage of the bile duct or digestive tract. 

Our team works closely with the surgeon to determine if surgery is possible and the goals. Based on this, other treatments will be planned. 

Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. Most patients will receive a combination of chemotherapy drugs to treat pancreatic cancer. It is one of the most commonly used treatments for pancreatic cancer and may be given before or after surgery, and can be the primary therapy if surgery is not possible.

Chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or radiation, depending on your situation. Treatments are usually delivered in cycles with planned rest periods between cycles.

Targeted Therapy

If biomarker testing identifies a genetic mutation driving the cancer’s growth, drugs are available that specifically target cells with the mutation without affecting healthy cells. Genetic mutations associated with pancreatic cancer targeted therapies are:

• BRAF

• NTRK

• RET

• KRAS

• EGFR

• HER2

A PARP inhibitor may be used for patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, blocking the pathway for cancer cells to reproduce with that genetic mutation.

Immunotherapy

Cancer cells can hide from the immune system by turning off “checkpoints” that tell your body if it should trigger an immune response. Immunotherapy turns on the body’s immune response to fight the cancer cells. This therapy is used more often when surgery is not an option, the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, or the cancer has recurred after completing chemotherapy. Tests are also run to see if the patient has high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) or changes in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Immunotherapy is also helpful for these patients.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and kill cancer cells. It is typically used along with other treatments after surgery if the tumor has not spread beyond the pancreas. If the cancer is more advanced and causing symptoms such as pain in a particular area of the body, radiation can be used to shrink the tumor and relieve symptoms. If radiation therapy is part of the treatment plan created for you, one of our radiation oncologists will meet with you to discuss the treatment process and its goals.

Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials

RMCC participates in clinical trials and research studies that may provide access to cutting-edge therapies not yet widely available. If eligible, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and decide whether trial participation fits your treatment goals. Our team integrates clinical research with patient care to bring promising new options to our patients.

Supportive Care

Supportive cancer care focuses on symptom relief and quality of life throughout treatment. This can include pain and nausea management, nutritional support, stent placement, or bypass procedures to relieve bile duct or digestive blockage. The Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers team focuses on how each patient is feeling to help them manage side effects and improve quality of life. Talk with them during your visit, or reach out between visits, to ask questions and to get help with issues that can arise during treatment.