Patient description: The patient is a 41-year-old obese woman coming to the emergency room with abdominal pain and vomiting. The pain that started gradually yesterday is located in the epigastric and periumbilical regions, radiating to her back. She drinks alcohol frequently and does not smoke. She has no history of allergies and uses only multivitamins daily. Her family history is positive for hypertension (her mother). She lives with her husband and has 3 children. The abdomen is tender and soft. Her bowel sounds are normal. Her heart rate is 115/min and blood pressure 110/75 mmHg. The lab studies are remarkable for leukocytosis (19.5), urea of 8.5, high CRP (145), high amylase (1200) and Glucose level of 15. Her abdominal CT scan revealed acute edematous interstitial pancreatitis with enlarged common bile duct and intrahepatic duct confirming gall stone pancreatitis. Her pregnancy test is negative and she is not breastfeeding.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-999.0,  Pancreatic Cancer Histologically-confirmed pancreatic carcinoma, with at least one lesion measurable by CT scan with a longest diameter of > 10mm, (other than bone) that has either not been previously irradiated, or if previously irradiated, has demonstrated progression since the radiation therapy based on criteria Locally-advanced unresectable disease or be ineligible for neo-adjuvant therapy (Stage III disease, unresectable and medically unfit for neo-adjuvant treatment or decline chemo radiation treatment) or have metastatic disease years of age or greater. Female patients with child-bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at screening. All patients of reproductive potential must agree to practice effective contraception in order to participate in this study for duration of treatment and for 3 months post WBC >3000 cells/mm3 with segments over 1800, hemoglobin >10 g/dl, platelets >150,000 cells/mm3, creatinine <1.5 mg/dl Hepatic function: Total Bilirubin </= ULN. AST and ALT and Alkaline Phosphatase must be within the range allowing for eligibility. In determining the more abnormal of the two values (AST or ALT) should be used ECOG performance status of </= 2 and an expected survival of at least 3 months Stable neurological status without clinical evidence of CNS metastases and/or stroke. Peripheral neuropathy must be </= Grade 1  Chemotherapy or radiation therapy within the preceding 4 weeks. Patients must never have had docetaxel or liposomal or regular doxorubicin Spinal/epidural anesthesia and/or catheters for pain management New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV congestive heart failure Evidence of duodenal erosion from the cancer Heparin or coumadin at the time of enrollment, with the exception of low dose coumadin (1 mg/day or less) administered prophylactically and/or heparin for maintenance of in-dwelling lines or ports Acute DVT or PE on initial evaluation History of severe hypersensitivity reaction to docetaxel or other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80 Pregnant or breast feeding Undergone a major surgical procedure, open biopsy, or major traumatic injury less than 4 weeks prior to study entry. Fine needle aspirations or venous access devices are allowed if placed > 7 days before study treatment begins Presence of active or suspected acute or chronic uncontrolled infection, including abscess or fistula