How long can you live with advanced pancreatic cancer

How long one can live with advanced pancreatic cancer mainly depends on whether the treatment method is appropriate, as well as the patient's physical function, psychological condition and family care. If it is early-stage pancreatic cancer, there is still a possibility of surviving with the tumor. As for the question of how long one can live with advanced pancreatic cancer, no matter whether it is the commonly used chemotherapy regimens including FAM, FAP and MA, or traditional Chinese medicine treatment, there is no way to cure and recover.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor with a very poor prognosis. The survival period of untreated pancreatic cancer patients is about 4 months, the survival period of patients undergoing bypass surgery is about 7 months, and patients after resection can generally survive for 16 months. Early diagnosis and early treatment are the key to improving the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. Postoperative adjuvant treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy can improve the survival rate. For patients who receive surgical adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the 2-year survival rate can reach 40%.

Surgical treatment

Surgery is the only possible cure. Surgical methods include pancreaticoduodenectomy, extended pancreaticoduodenectomy, and total pancreatectomy. However, because early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult, the surgical resection rate is low, and the five-year survival rate after surgery is also low.

Radiation therapy

Radiotherapy has a more direct killing effect on cancer cells. When used in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, it can improve the treatment effect and prolong the patient's survival. Although pancreatic cancer is not sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, chemotherapy can prolong the survival period to a certain extent and relieve some of the symptoms in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Commonly used chemotherapy regimens include FAM, FAP and MA.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

Pancreatic cancer in its early stages can also be treated with Chinese medicine, and after a period of treatment, it can return to normal. However, the effect of using Chinese medicine to treat pancreatic cancer in its late stages is uncertain. However, since many patients are already in the late stages of pancreatic cancer when they are diagnosed, the cure rate will be very low once cancer develops to the late stages.

The toxic side effects of chemotherapy on the human body can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who have a wide range of metastases, weak physical functions, and are unable to tolerate chemotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine can be used for conservative treatment. Although it cannot cure advanced pancreatic cancer, it can significantly improve the quality of life and prolong survival. Through good dietary care and paying attention to dietary taboos, survival can be prolonged.