Radiation is usually given five days a week for five or six weeks. This schedule helps to protect normal tissue by spreading out the total dose of radiation. Patients aren't hospitalized for radiation therapy. Some patients can be treated by placing radioactive seeds within an inoperable tumor or in that portion of a tumor that can't be removed. In addition, radiation can help relieve pain or digestive problems when there's a blockage of the common bile duct or the upper part of the small intestine.
Chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells.
Physicians may use one medication or a combination, administered by mouth or by injection, to circulate throughout the body. The National Cancer Institute is supporting many studies of new treatments for pancreatic cancer. Scientists are exploring new medications and medication combinations, new forms of radiation therapy, biological therapy and combinations of these treatments. Researchers are also looking at new ways to give radiation. For example, they are studying giving radiation therapy two or more times a day, or during surgery to kill cancer cells that may remain in the area after removal of a tumor.