How is metastatic pancreatic cancer treated?

Treatment options for metastatic pancreatic cancer include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, interventional therapy, and palliative supportive care. The goal of treatment is to control tumor progression, alleviate symptoms, and prolong survival. Treatment plans should be individualized based on the patient's overall health condition. If severe abdominal pain, worsening jaundice, or similar symptoms occur, prompt medical attention is recommended.

1. Chemotherapy: This is a fundamental treatment approach that uses chemotherapeutic agents to inhibit tumor cell proliferation. Common drug combinations can delay tumor spread and improve patients' quality of life. Most patients tolerate chemotherapy well, but regular monitoring of blood counts, liver and kidney function is required.

2. Targeted therapy: This involves medications directed at specific molecular targets in the tumor and is suitable for patients with corresponding genetic mutations. It precisely acts on cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells. It can be combined with chemotherapy to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

3. Immunotherapy: This treatment activates the patient’s own immune system to attack tumor cells and is applicable to certain patients with positive biomarkers. It can improve immune function, and some patients may achieve prolonged survival.

4. Interventional therapy: For patients with biliary or gastrointestinal obstruction, interventional procedures such as placement of biliary stents can relieve obstructions, alleviate symptoms like jaundice and abdominal pain, and improve food intake and quality of life.

5. Palliative pain management and supportive care: For patients experiencing significant pain, analgesic medications are administered according to pain severity. Combined with nutritional support and psychological interventions, this approach helps reduce suffering, maintain bodily functions, and improve comfort during treatment.

In daily care, patients should be provided with light, easily digestible meals, eating small portions frequently to ensure adequate nutrition. Assisting patients with moderate physical activity helps prevent complications from prolonged bed rest. Monitoring emotional changes and offering psychological support can help patients maintain a positive attitude toward treatment.