PANCREATIC CANCER - MEDICINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PANCREATIC CANCER - MEDICATIONS

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Medicines to Treat Pancreatic Cancer

Definition

Among the most feared malignant neoplasms, pancreatic cancer unfortunately plays a leading role: when pancreatic cells undergo an alteration, they tend to proliferate very quickly, both in the organ and in the organism, causing death in the vast majority. However, pancreatic cancer is not widespread, as are colon or cervical cancer, for example.

Causes

Some scholars speak of "multifactorial etiology", others believe that pancreatic cancer is not attributable to a precise cause: many unknowns, only unsolved questions. In any case, it seems that the association of several elements can contribute to exponentially increase the chances of pancreatic cancer: alcohol abuse, a high-fat diet, exposure to carcinogens, obesity, genetic predisposition and smoking.

Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer is a subtle and insignificant disease: not only is it an almost incurable neoplasm, but it is difficult to diagnose, since it does not begin with any actually distinguishable symptoms. Only many vague and nonspecific signs in the initial phase: ascites, digestive difficulties, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, jaundice, nausea, weight loss, vomiting.

Possible complications (advanced stage): diabetes, the result of the inability of the beta cells of the pancreas to produce insulin, death.

The information on Pancreatic Cancer - Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Pancreatic Cancer - Medicines to Treat Pancreatic Cancer.

Medicines

Medicines for the treatment of pancreatic cancer are only useful for relieving symptoms and prolonging the patient's life expectancy.
It is almost paradoxical: although surgery is the only effective therapeutic option, it is almost impossible to remove the entire organ, thus ensuring a definitive block of malignant cell proliferation. As regards pancreatic cancer, the theory is not always valid. according to which "the faster cancer is diagnosed, the more likely the patient is to obtain a good prognosis": diseased pancreatic cells, in fact, have an impressive capacity for regeneration.

The mortality rate is practically comparable to the number of pancreatic cancers actually diagnosed → mortality = incidence

Radiotherapy is practically not applicable in the case of pancreatic cancer, given the particular location of the organ near anatomical structures which are very sensitive to X-rays.
The exploratory laparotomy is a type of surgery aimed at verifying the expansion of the cancer; after which it is possible to proceed with the resection of the spleen and tail of the pancreas, with the eradication of the duodenum, the head of the pancreas and the gallbladder, or with the removal of a larger part of the pancreas, spleen, duodenum and gallbladder. The intervention depends on the stage of the tumor.
Chemotherapy, although feasible, is not a "first choice treatment option: in fact, we speak of pancreatic cancer as a chemo-resistant pathology. Some chemotherapy drugs are only useful for palliative purposes."

The following are the classes of anticancer drugs most used in therapy palliative against pancreatic cancer, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Gemcitabine (eg Gembin, Tabin, Gemzar): the recommended dose for the palliative treatment of pancreatic cancer is 1 g / m2 intravenously (30-minute infusion); repeat the administration once a week, for a maximum of 7 weeks, followed by 7 days of rest. Maintenance dose: 1 g / m2 intravenously (30 minute infusion) to be repeated once a week for three weeks, followed by 4 weeks of rest.
Streptozocin (eg Zanosar): belongs to the class of alkylating agents: the drug is indicated for the palliative treatment of islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas, especially in the metastatic stage. Take 500mg / m2 of drug by intravenous injection once a day for 5 consecutive days. Repeat the application every 6 weeks, until the patient benefits without too many toxic side effects.
5-fluorouracil (eg. Fluorouracil): initiate therapy against pancreatic cancer with 12 mg / kg intravenously, once a day for 4 consecutive days. Do not exceed 800 mg per day. In case of non-toxicity, take 6 mg of drug per kilo of body weight on the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th days. For obviously malnourished patients, decrease the starting dose to 6 mg / kg for 3 days (max. 400 mg / day) and continue the administration of 3 mg / kg on the 5th, 7th and 9th days. Discontinue therapy at the end of day 9, even if there are no signs of toxicity. Repeat this method of administration every 30 days; alternatively, administer 10-15 mg / kg per week, in a single dose, without exceeding one gram per week. The dosage should be carefully checked by the doctor and possibly modified, based on the response of the sick patient.
Mitomycin (eg Mitomycin C): the drug is an antimetabolite and antineoplastic, indicated to reduce painful symptoms in the case of pancreatic cancer: take 20 mg / m2 intravenously, in a single dose, via catheter. Repeat the dose at 4-8 week intervals.
Docetaxel (eg. Docetaxel Teva Pharma, Docetaxel Teva, Docetaxel Winthrop): this drug is injected by intravenous infusion and, while not the first-line active ingredient for pancreatic cancer, it is sometimes used to relieve symptoms. The dosage should be established by the doctor.

Therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Monoclonal antibodies - such as erlotinib - appear to be beneficial for the treatment of pancreatic cancer:

Erlotinib (eg Tarceva) the anticancer drug is often used in therapy against pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine. The recommended dose is 100 mg taken orally before meals or two hours after.