Dr. Anton Bilchik is a leading surgeon who works at the St Johns Cancer Institute (formerly the John Wayne Cancer Institute) in Santa Monica, California. He is a professor of surgery and an internationally acclaimed scientist and doctor in the field of cancer. Dr. Anton Bilchik uses less invasive techniques to treat pancreatic cancer.
As the name implies, pancreatic cancer develops in the pancreas, located behind the lower portion of your stomach. The pancreas is vital for generating hormones and releasing enzymes that aid in and improve digestion. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy are known methods for battling pancreatic cancer.
Surgery involves the removal of the pancreas or parts of it, depending on the region and growth level of cancer. Chemotherapy involves the use of certain drugs to kill cancer by stopping them from multiplying, while radiation therapy employs x-rays or similar forms of radiation to kill the cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by boosting the body’s natural defenses.
Knowing which approach to use depends mainly on the type of cancer and the best solution to combat it. While surgical removal offers the best chance for cure, only 20 percent of patients are candidates because the majority have already spread when symptoms occur. There is however hope on the horizon because chemotherapy combinations have been shown to be effective and can further increase survival especially if given before or after surgery. There are ongoing studies looking at the role of novel targeted therapies. Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer should be discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board with multiple specialists.
As the name implies, pancreatic cancer develops in the pancreas, located behind the lower portion of your stomach. The pancreas is vital for generating hormones and releasing enzymes that aid in and improve digestion. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy are known methods for battling pancreatic cancer.
Surgery involves the removal of the pancreas or parts of it, depending on the region and growth level of cancer. Chemotherapy involves the use of certain drugs to kill cancer by stopping them from multiplying, while radiation therapy employs x-rays or similar forms of radiation to kill the cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by boosting the body’s natural defenses.
Knowing which approach to use depends mainly on the type of cancer and the best solution to combat it. While surgical removal offers the best chance for cure, only 20 percent of patients are candidates because the majority have already spread when symptoms occur. There is however hope on the horizon because chemotherapy combinations have been shown to be effective and can further increase survival especially if given before or after surgery. There are ongoing studies looking at the role of novel targeted therapies. Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer should be discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board with multiple specialists.
