Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancerous drugs to kill the cancerous cells. These drugs can either be taken in the form of pills or they can be injected into the vein to reach the cancer cells. These drugs killed the already existing cancer cells and prevent them from dividing.
The chemotherapy has different goals:
- In order to ease the removal of tumors that is large in size. This type of chemotherapy is called neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.
- In order to kill cancerous cells that are not visible during surgery and are a threat of cancer spread. This type of chemotherapy is called adjuvant chemotherapy.
- When the cancer has spread to distant organs and the option to perform a surgery is ruled chemotherapy is performed with radiation therapy.
Drugs commonly used for chemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer:
- Abraxane
- Cisplatin
- Gemzar
- Oxaliplatin
The physician might use a combination of drugs to achieve good results.
Side effects of chemotherapy:
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Bruising
- Bleeding