In this fourth episode of OncChats: Mapping Progress Made in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery, Horacio J. Asbun, MD, and Domenech Asbun, MD, project where the pancreatic cancer treatment paradigm is headed, from a surgical perspective and beyond. <\/p>\n
HA: Before we close, Domenech, we have been talking about what has happened in the past, and maybe even gloating a little bit. The reason for that is because, at least in my case, I have to say that [with the advances made these] past few years, I feel very optimistic that [we are] finally [seeing] a change in the survival of [patients with] pancreatic cancer; its happening.Were still far from saying that this is the case [for everyone], scientifically, but we have observed [advances] that [have left us in awe]. <\/p>\n
Were now able to give hope to those patients. In the past, it was very difficult to give hope. Now, we have tangible [progress]. For [example,] we have the type of radiation that we do on the MRI-LINAC, or percutaneous irreversible electroporation, new chemotherapeutic agents, and some of the trials that we have [are examining administering] chemotherapy intraarterially, directly into the area of the tumor. All those things have helped us give some hope to the patients. <\/p>\n
That said, what do you foresee for the future? What is going to be coming [down the pike]? Im not talking about [what you expect] in 20 years from now; we dont need to [emanate] Star Trek here. But what do you think is going to happen next 5 years? Are we going to continue at this pace [in terms] of improvement? What are your thoughts on this? <\/p>\n
DA: Its a good question. I think that first, we will see the continued importance of therapies that are not surgical, so systemic therapies and particularly immunotherapy. This is a huge field right now and the advances are very exciting. I hate to say this, and I say it somewhat quietly, but I think were going to get to a point where were operating less because our other therapies are going to be more useful and more effective in the long term. Obviously, were not there yet and I dont see a world in which surgery is completely out of the picture at all. However, we are seeing very big advances [beyond that area]. <\/p>\n
From a surgical standpoint, were always looking to see how we can improve things, how we can make the operations better and faster, and [easier] for the patients. Thats one of the joys of surgery; you get a little bit of creative freedom to see what you can do that will make an established surgery even better, even these very complex operations. I see the changes [on] that [front] continuing. Through the minimally invasive approaches, were now seeing an ongoing revolution that continues to pick up momentum. I think thats what we have to look forward to. Maybe itll take a little more [time beyond 5 years] to see really significant changes, but thats where we're going. <\/p>\n
One other area that is also starting to get a lot more attention are the modalities for screening for some of these very aggressive cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, [and others]. These [efforts are] still in [their] infancy, but we are looking for ways to be able to screen patients that will not be a massive burden on the overall healthcare system. [We want] something that is feasible to do in patients on a yearly basis that is, ideally, not very invasive, maybe [in the form of] a blood test, urine analysis, or salivary analysis, etc. Thats another field that were going to see continue to blossom, and that will help us help patients. <\/p>\n
HA: [I think] you're right, [for the most part]. I am not sure that were going to be operating less. In fact, maybe well operate less from the point of view that we [will] learn [more about] the biology of the disease and realize that for some patients it is not even worth it to try to attempt surgery. However, I think that with all these other therapies, at least up to nowthe neoadjuvant [approaches], the new chemotherapies, and radiationwere operating more. Were operating on patients who, in the past, we wouldnt operate on. Hopefully, that trend is going to continue, or really, whatever trend [that will allow us] to cure more patients. <\/p>\n
DA: I might have been looking at the Star Trek future. Youre right. <\/p>\n
HA: Yeah, you were looking at the Star Trek future. Thats why I prompted you to that. <\/p>\n
Check back on Wednesday for the final episode in the series. <\/p>\n
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Mapping Progress in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery: Looking to the ... - OncLive<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In this fourth episode of OncChats: Mapping Progress Made in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery, Horacio J. Asbun, MD, and Domenech Asbun, MD, project where the pancreatic cancer treatment paradigm is headed, from a surgical perspective and beyond. Continue reading