One of the doctors behind the Sandler-Kenner Foundation talks about the potential benefits.

Irving, TX, — Pancreatic cancer has long been considered one of the deadliest forms of cancer. With a survival rate of less than 10 percent at the five-year mark, the disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Researchers, however, are finding that a change in treatment protocols may very help improve survival odds for some.

“Neoadjuvant therapy is showing signs of promise in helping some people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer enjoy more successful treatment down the road,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, one of the physicians behind the Sandler-Kenner Foundation and the founder and lead surgeon at Choice Cancer Care. “Many clinicians, in fact, are pushing for the use of pre-surgical interventions to potentially improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.”

Neoadjuvant therapy involves the use of interventions that are prescribed prior to surgery. They may include such measures as chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of the two. The use of neoadjuvant therapy is indicated to help ensure more successful surgical outcomes. For example, this type of pre-intervention may help pre-shrink tumors. In some cases, tumors deemed inoperable at first may become operable after intervention with neoadjuvant therapies. It may also help doctors better understand a particular patient’s cancer to enable more tailored treatment down the road.

“Neoadjuvant therapy may offer benefits for some pancreatic cancer patients,” says Dr. Echt. “It may not, however, be advised in every case.”

An estimated 53,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year. About 41,000 people die from the disease. People who suffer from diabetes, chronic pancreatitis and other related conditions should speak with their healthcare providers about their risks. Early intervention can make a difference in survival odds. For those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the best treatment advice will come from the physician with first-hand knowledge about the specific case.

To find out more about pancreatic cancer and steps that are being taken to fight it, visit the Sandler-Kenner Foundation online. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping advance research that may lead to a cure for pancreatic cancer.

About The Sandler-Kenner Foundation
The Sandler-Kenner Foundation, established in 2007 as the Las Colinas Cancer Center Foundation, was renamed in early 2011 in the memory of Michael Sandler and Peter Kenner, both of whom passed away from pancreatic cancer, a lethal disease that is difficult to diagnose until it has reached an advanced stage.