©The Author(s) 2018. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Surg. Oct 27, 2018; 10(7): 75-83
Published online Oct 27, 2018. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v10.i7.75
Published online Oct 27, 2018. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v10.i7.75
Current role of palliative interventions in advanced pancreatic cancer
Chelsey C Ciambella, Rachel E Beard, Thomas J Miner, Department of Surgical Oncology, Warren Alpert Medical School Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, United States
Author contributions: Ciambella CC, Beard RE and Miner TJ worked on the concept, design, manuscript writing and manuscript review.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest associated with the senior author or other coauthors that contributed their efforts in this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Thomas J Miner, MD, Associate Professor, Doctor, Senior Researcher, Surgeon, Surgical Oncologist, Department of Surgical Oncology, Warren Alpert Medical School Brown University, 2 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02906, United States. tminer@usasurg.org
Telephone: +1-401-4210245 Fax: +1-401-8682310
Received: July 31, 2018
Peer-review started: July 31, 2018
First decision: August 20, 2018
Revised: September 13, 2018
Accepted: October 10, 2018
Article in press: October 10, 2018
Published online: October 27, 2018
Processing time: 88 Days and 15 Hours
Peer-review started: July 31, 2018
First decision: August 20, 2018
Revised: September 13, 2018
Accepted: October 10, 2018
Article in press: October 10, 2018
Published online: October 27, 2018
Processing time: 88 Days and 15 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Unfortunately, at the time of diagnosis most patients with pancreatic cancer are not candidates for curative resection. Surgical palliation, a procedure performed with the intention of relieving symptoms or improving quality of life, comes to the forefront of management. The majority of palliative care focuses on three high burden symptoms: obstructive jaundice, duodenal obstruction and tumor-related pain. There exists a wide range of interventions including both operative and non-operative techniques. Regardless of the palliative procedure, all physicians involved must be adequately trained in end of life management to ensure the best possible care for patients.