What Is Locally Advanced or Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer?
Locally advanced pancreatic cancer refers to a stage of pancreatic cancer where the tumour has grown beyond the pancreas and has invaded nearby organs, but has not yet spread to distant sites in the body. The same can be said for borderline resectable cancer, except that the growth into those nearby organs is less extensive than it is for locally advanced cancer.
This stage of pancreatic cancer is often referred to as stage 3 and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice.
The exact cause of locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer is not known. However, several risk factors such as age, obesity, diabetes and tobacco use have been identified to increase the likelihood of developing this type of cancer.
Locally advanced and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer diagnosis
The best way to detect pancreatic cancer is through regular screenings. If you are at high risk for developing the disease, your doctor may recommend that you have an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) every year or two. However, for most people with pancreatic cancer, there is no reason to perform regular screening tests and most pancreatic cancers are diagnosed due to the development of symptoms.
Diagnosis of locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer typically involves several tests and procedures, such as:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests
- Biopsy
- Staging tests
It’s important to diagnose locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer as early as possible, as the prognosis improves with earlier treatment. If you have symptoms that could be indicative of pancreatic cancer, it’s important to see a doctor right away for further evaluation and testing.
Treating locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer
Locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer can be a challenging disease to treat, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, advances in treatment and earlier detection methods are improving outcomes for patients with this type of cancer.
Treatment for locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer typically involves a combination of the following:
- Surgery: Depending on the size and location of the tumour, surgery to remove part or all of the pancreas may be an option. This is often the best chance for a cure in locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams of radiation to shrink the tumour and may be used before or after surgery to improve the outcome.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and may be used before or after surgery to shrink the tumour and reduce the risk of recurrence. There are different types of chemotherapy and our experts can help you understand the best treatments for you. The choice of chemotherapy can be complex but it is important to give you the best chance for cure.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapies are drugs that target specific proteins or genes involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. These drugs may be used in combination with chemotherapy to improve the outcome.
The choice of treatment for locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer will depend on the patient’s overall health, the stage and location of the cancer, and other factors. Your healthcare team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Second opinion for locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer
Surgical treatment of locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer is highly complex due to the cancer being very close or attached to major blood vessels. We have considerable experience treating patients with both locally advanced and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. If you have been advised that your pancreatic cancer is inoperable, we will review your scans in a specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting and provide a second opinion on the most appropriate treatment, including whether surgery may be possible.
Contact us
It is important to seek the advice of an experienced medical professional if you notice any pancreatic cancer symptoms.
Our expert team of consultants at Birmingham HPB specialise in treating patients with pancreatic cancer and can help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your treatment. Book an appointment today or contact us on 07508747723.