From the Research
Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate of approximately 10% across all stages, and the prognosis worsens significantly when metastasis occurs, dropping to about 3% for metastatic disease, with the most common sites of metastasis being the liver, peritoneum, lungs, and bones 1. The prognosis of pancreatic cancer is generally poor, with a low overall survival rate, and most patients present with non-specific symptoms in the advanced stages, leading to late diagnosis and limited treatment options 1.
Common Sites of Metastasis
- The liver is the most common site of metastasis, accounting for approximately 70% of cases, due to the portal venous drainage from the pancreas 2.
- Other common sites of metastasis include the peritoneum, lungs, and bones.
Treatment Options
- Treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer primarily involves systemic chemotherapy regimens, such as FOLFIRINOX (leucovorin, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel, which can improve cancer control and quality of life, but are generally palliative rather than curative 3, 1.
- Molecular targeted therapies may also be used to positively impact cancer control and improve quality of life 1.
Key Considerations
- The aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer, its tendency to invade surrounding tissues and blood vessels early, and its resistance to conventional treatments contribute to the poor outcomes 4.
- The lack of early screening methods that could detect the disease before metastasis occurs also contributes to the poor prognosis 2. In summary, pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, and treatment options are generally palliative rather than curative, with the goal of improving cancer control and quality of life 1.