Neoadjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer: Controversies and advances

Abstract

Despite the advancements in the treatment of localized pancreatic cancer, several unresolved issues persist in clinical practice, especially in the neoadjuvant setting. These include determining the criteria for selecting patients for treatment, identifying the most effective chemotherapy regimens, understanding the role of radiotherapy, and accurately assessing how patients respond to treatment. Current strategies for assessing patients before surgery involve thoroughly evaluating their overall health status, analyzing tumor markers, and using advanced imaging techniques. However, existing methods for staging the disease still have limitations when it comes to accurately detecting metastatic cancer. The ongoing debate between performing surgery upfront or administering neoadjuvant therapy highlights the need for robust clinical evidence to guide treatment decisions effectively. This review analyzes the evidence regarding controversial topics in neoadjuvant pancreatic cancer treatment and discusses further research efforts to enhance patient outcomes. To improve the outcomes found with surgery alone, multimodal treatment with chemotherapy.