Locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: current therapeutic modalities

Pancreatic cancer still have bad prognosis. At the time of diagnosis, less than 10% of patients can undergo surgery with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 2%. For patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy has been shown to control symptoms and to enhance patient survival. This treatment should be proposed to all the patients with good performance status and without icterus. Pain management should be optimized and often need morphinic and co-antalgic (anticonvulsivants, steroids) consumption. The celiac plexus block with alcohol gives an excellent pain relief and should be more frequently used.