Existe-t-il des progres dans le traitement du cancer du pancreas metastatique?

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the western world. The authors review the different chemotherapeutic regimens for the palliative approach of this disease. 5-fluorouracil has been the only drug with some efficacy for a longtime. Recently a clinical benefit has been obtained with gemcitabine. Polychemotherapy regimens based on gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin and/or epirubicin have been administered in clinical phase II trials. The superiority of polychemotherapy in terms of palliative benefits or survival is uncertain. Palliative care remains an important issue.