Some use a combination of all three drugs. Surgery followed by chemotherapy in all patients who can tolerate chemotherapy. This is a rather difficult condition to treat. Unfortunately, cure is not possible and the goal of treatment is to prolong the survival of the patients and help them with complications of the illness. This is the duty of the surgeon and the medical oncologist to inform each and every patient of the stage of their disease, prognosis as well as potential treatment options.
Treatment is given weekly and for as long as the disease stays under control.
The chemotherapy used for this condition is very well tolerated and has minimal side effects. Treatment my have to be given for 4 weeks and be stopped for two weeks, so that body can recover from the side effects. The response can last anywhere from months to a few years. A newer medicine, Irinotecan has shown some efficacy in this condition. Chemotherapy is normally well tolerated, however one has to be aware of potential complications and side effects.