Management of pancreatic cancer in China: the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital experience

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive malignancies with a dismal prognosis. The incidence and mortality of pancreatic cancer in China has been increasing dramatically during the past several decades. With the development of surgery, chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy technologies, the prognosis of pancreatic cancer has changed greatly in recent years in China, especially in our cancer center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital. First, we will make a precise pre-surgery diagnosis in our center involves computerized tomography (CT) images, circulating tumor cell (CTC) measure and KRAS sequence. Second, according to the pre-surgery diagnosis, we will perform the en bloc resection and standard lymphadenectomy for pancreatic cancer patient. Third, multidisciplinary team (MDT) is a feature in our cancer center that choose the best therapy for different stage patients with individualized treatment. Finally, clinical trial is important characteristic in our cancer center because the new drug and target drug can be used to treat pancreatic cancer in time. This article reviews the development of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and therapy, highlights the hallmarks of management in our cancer center and discusses the future necessary efforts to improve the quality of life and prognosis for Chinese patients.