Invasive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm May Respond to Adjuvant Therapy

Patients with a particular type of pancreatic cancer may benefit from adjuvant therapy, a new study has found. This type of pancreatic cancer has been shown to respond well to other interventions introduced after surgery while also presenting with less pain than more conventional pancreatic cancer.

Invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is a tumor that grows in the pancreatic ducts themselves. It is characterized by the production of a thick fluid. This form of cancer, like standard pancreatic cancer, typically involves the need for surgery. Whether this surgery is followed by adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiation) or not, generally depends on a number of patient-specific factors.

The recent study, however, has found that in the case of invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, adjuvant therapy can have a rather promising survival benefit. The same study found that conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, however, did not present with a similar survival benefit when adjuvant therapy was introduced after surgery.

An estimated 53,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year. Some 41,000 people die from the disease, which is considered to be the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Presenting initially with very few symptoms, this disease is often left undetected until it reaches more advanced stages. This is one of the reasons why the disease has a five-year survival rate that is less than 10 percent.

People who suffer from chronic pancreatitis, diabetics and others are at risk for the development of pancreatic cancer. Family history may also play a role. People who are concerned about this disease are urged to discuss their personal risks with their healthcare providers. Widespread early screening tools are not available for this form of cancer, but risk factors may prompt testing with the tools that are at doctors’ disposal.

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are urged to speak with their doctors about all treatment options. In some cases, adjuvant therapy may offer an increased survival benefit.