New treatments, techniques and technology for pancreatic cancer

Robotic tech and clinical research are improving quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients at Ohio State.

Pancreatic cancer is challenging to treat for many reasons, including late-presenting symptoms that reduce the chances of early detection. Also, surgeries for the condition can often lead to long recovery times for patients.

As is the case with many health issues, though, pancreatic cancer treatment is changing through tech and research innovation, including clinical trials and the robotic Whipple surgery, a minimally-invasive procedure performed by experts like surgeons at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).

“In 70 to 80 percent of the patients we see, they will have recurrent disease somewhere else in their bodies,” says Susan Tsai, MD, MHS, the director of the OSUCCC – James Division of Surgical Oncology. “In the old days, we’d often rush patients to surgery to remove the cancer as quickly as possible, but now we utilize systematic therapy (chemotherapy and radiation) upfront before surgery, and we’re seeing better results.”

Tsai provides many more details about pancreatic cancer care innovation on our Cancer-Free World Podcast. Watch on the video player above, or listen via SoundCloud.

When surgeries are performed, new technology is helping doctors maximize effectiveness while emphasizing patients’ quality of life. One way this is done is with the groundbreaking robotic Whipple procedure, a minimally-invasive operation that allows patients to recover significantly more quickly that traditional surgeries.

“The Whipple operation is complex, and was traditionally done through a large incision,” OSUCCC – James surgical oncologist Mary Dillhoff, MD, says. “Through the advent of robotic technology, we’re able perform this operation with small incisions, helping our patients recover faster, have less pain and leave the hospital sooner.”

Click here to learn more about pancreatic cancer, including risks, symptoms and treatment options at The Ohio State University.

Robotic surgery is just one of the ways OSUCCC – James experts are working to improve pancreatic cancer care, with more innovation underway in the labs of clinical researchers.

Among the clinical trials that could, one day, lead to the development of new pancreatic cancer therapies are studies that focus on potential immunotherapy treatments that target a genetic mutation called KRAS, and another trial that analyzes patients’ molecular profiles to better determine chemotherapy utilization.

“We’re always thinking about next steps and about the patients of tomorrow.” Tsai says. “That’s a huge driver.”