International Institute of Anticancer Research:John G Delinassios, 1st Km Kapandritiou-Kalamou Road, Kapandriti Attiki 19014 Greece:011 30 2 2950 53389, 011 30 2950 52945, EMAIL: [email protected], INTERNET: http://www.iiar-anticancer.org, Fax: 011 30 2 2950 53389, 011 30 2 2950 52945 1
Abstract
Pancreatoduodenectomy remains the recommended treatment in potentially curative strategies for pancreatic carcinoma. Due to high local failure rates even after complete resection, a multi-modality treatment approach is paramount in the management of resectable disease. Despite there being insufficient evidence to recommend a specific neoadjuvant strategy, several studies have tested the use of preoperative chemoradiotherapy in this sub-group of patients, achieving promising results. The treatment is well-tolerated, with higher rates of negative margins and lower rates of lymph node positivity at resection, a decrease in local failure and benefit in overall survival. Considering the poor oncological results after primary surgical treatment, neoadjuvant strategy should be considered as a valid alternative in resectable pancreatic carcinoma
