Pancreatic Cancer: Challenges and Treatments

In 2014, pancreatic cancer was a highly lethal disease with a 5-year survival rate of only 5%, primarily affecting individuals aged 60 to 80. Obesity and smoking were significant risk factors, and diagnosis was often late-stage, limiting treatment options. Fewer than 20% of patients were eligible for potentially curative surgery, with the Whipple procedure being the most common. Chemotherapy, radiation, and emerging targeted therapies like erlotinib were used for non-surgical cases, but the prognosis remained poor. Pain management relied on opioids, with celiac plexus block providing relief for opioid-resistant pain. A multidisciplinary approach was essential due to the complex needs of patients, and hospice care was important for those in advanced stages.