The management of localized pancreatic cancer has rapidly evolved over the past decade and treatment sequencing remains controversial. With an increasing understanding of pancreatic cancer biology, the importance of multimodality therapy in the management of pancreatic cancer is better appreciated.
This text is designed to present a comprehensive understanding for the rationale of neoadjuvant treatment sequencing for localized pancreatic cancer and to focus on accurate clinical staging and stage-specific treatment sequencing. Sections address important aspects of clinical management of localized pancreatic cancer from diagnosis to surgery. These areas include initial radiographic staging, management of obstructive jaundice, role of chemotherapy and chemoradiation in neoadjuvant therapy, assessment of treatment response, and operative considerations for complex vascular resections. A brief review of suggested readings addressing the particular topic follows in each section, as well as a summary of clinical “pearls”.
Management of Localized Pancreatic Cancer: Current Treatment and Challenges provides a comprehensive resource which clearly defines the principles of neoadjuvant therapy as well as a clinical framework for successful therapy. It will be valuable to physicians of multiple disciplines who are interested in utilizing neoadjuvant therapy for localized pancreatic cancer.