Evolving Treatment Options for Locally Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

The best treatment strategy for patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains the subject of considerable debate. This report presents a case of a 58-year-old woman with locally advanced unresectable PDAC who was treated with sequential FOLFIRINOX for 8 cycles followed by chemoradiation, and continues to show durable disease control 18 months later. The respective roles of systemic therapy and chemoradiation for locally advanced PDAC are discussed, including optimal sequencing of these modalities, recent improvements in chemotherapy, and the question of whether radiotherapy improves survival outcomes in this disease context.

Target Audience

This activity has been designated to meet the educational needs of physicians and nurses involved in the management of patients with cancer.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the criteria used to determine if a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is unresectable
  • Summarize the treatment options for patients with locally advanced unresectable PDAC
  • Explain the roles of systemic therapy and chemoradiation for locally advanced PDAC including optimal sequencing, recent improvements in chemotherapy and whether radiotherapy improves survival outcomes in this disease context
Additional information
Supporters: 

No commercial support was received for this article.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Participation
  • 1.00 Nurse
  • 1.00 Physician
Course opens: 
02/24/2014
Course expires: 
02/24/2015
Cost:
$0.00

Pelin Cinar, MD, MS
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine
University of California
San Francisco, California

Andrew H. Ko, MD
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine
University of California
San Francisco, California

Available Credit

  • 1.00 Participation
  • 1.00 Nurse
  • 1.00 Physician

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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