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what is neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

Patients & families

In short

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is treatment given before surgery [1]. It is mainly used to help achieve a complete removal of the tumor in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer [2].

The details

  • Neoadjuvant therapy refers to chemotherapy or other treatments given before the main surgical operation [1].
  • For patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, neoadjuvant treatment is considered the best option to achieve an R0 resection [2]. An R0 resection means the surgeon removes all visible tumor tissue [2].
  • The use of neoadjuvant therapy in clearly resectable (early-stage) pancreatic cancer is still debated among doctors [1].
  • Common chemotherapy drugs used in these settings include FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel [1], [2].
  • What to know

    The role of neoadjuvant therapy for early-stage disease is not yet fully settled, as it remains a topic of debate [1]. Treatment choices depend on whether the tumor can be removed by surgery or if it has spread to other parts of the body [2]. Always discuss your specific situation with your medical team.

    โš•๏ธ This is for learning, not treatment decisions. Always talk with your oncology team โ€” they know your full situation. The information here comes from published research and is meant to help you have better conversations with your doctors.
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