Improving Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer:
Existing Options and Novel Approaches
Existing Options and Novel Approaches
Faculty: Eileen M. O'Reilly, MD
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Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this educational activity, participants should be able to:
Upon completing this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Discuss the diagnostics involved in the staging process for pancreatic cancer and how this knowledge provides opportunity
to more accurately diagnose pancreatic cancer in early stages. - Incorporate national clinical guidelines regarding surgical resection and adjuvant therapy into management plans that
address preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative concerns. - Discuss clinical trial data results from new combinations of existing treatments and novel targeted therapies for pancreatic
cancer.
Accreditation Statement:
The American Academy of Physician Education is accredited by the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association
(IMQ/CMA) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The American Academy of Physician Education takes responsibility
for the content, quality and scientific integrity of this CME activity.
Credit Designation Statement:
The American Academy of Physician Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 hours AMA PRA Category 1
Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This credit may also
be applied to the CMA Certification in Continuing Medical Education.
The American Academy of Physician Education is accredited by the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association
(IMQ/CMA) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The American Academy of Physician Education takes responsibility
for the content, quality and scientific integrity of this CME activity.
Credit Designation Statement:
The American Academy of Physician Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 hours AMA PRA Category 1
Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This credit may also
be applied to the CMA Certification in Continuing Medical Education.
Commercial Support: This activity is supported by an educational grant from Genentech.
Target Audience:
This CME activity is designed for primary care physicians, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, general surgeons, surgical
oncologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, and other healthcare professionals interested in emerging approaches to
managing patients with pancreatic cancer.
This CME activity is designed for primary care physicians, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, general surgeons, surgical
oncologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, and other healthcare professionals interested in emerging approaches to
managing patients with pancreatic cancer.
Introduction:
A substantial quantity of clinical research has been undertaken in the effort to better understand and treat pancreatic cancer.
Incremental improvements in some existing therapies and small but significant breakthroughs in new treatments and management
practices are seen almost monthly making it particularly difficult for the clinical practitioner to stay abreast of best practices.
Consequently, it is critical that clinicians engage in educational forums, such as continuing medical education, where these advances
can be highlighted and prioritized by experts in the field and translated to improved survival and quality of life for patients with
pancreatic cancer. Current findings in the molecular biology of the disease and their implications for management are examined, as
well as developments in diagnostic techniques, including helical computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine-needle aspiration. Surgical
management, the role of adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, and the critical importance of accurate preoperative
imaging are also addressed in this review. Palliative techniques, and chemotherapy for locally advanced and metastatic disease, are
discussed, and results of recent clinical trials in pancreatic cancer are summarized. Finally, future directions for research are
identified.
A substantial quantity of clinical research has been undertaken in the effort to better understand and treat pancreatic cancer.
Incremental improvements in some existing therapies and small but significant breakthroughs in new treatments and management
practices are seen almost monthly making it particularly difficult for the clinical practitioner to stay abreast of best practices.
Consequently, it is critical that clinicians engage in educational forums, such as continuing medical education, where these advances
can be highlighted and prioritized by experts in the field and translated to improved survival and quality of life for patients with
pancreatic cancer. Current findings in the molecular biology of the disease and their implications for management are examined, as
well as developments in diagnostic techniques, including helical computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine-needle aspiration. Surgical
management, the role of adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, and the critical importance of accurate preoperative
imaging are also addressed in this review. Palliative techniques, and chemotherapy for locally advanced and metastatic disease, are
discussed, and results of recent clinical trials in pancreatic cancer are summarized. Finally, future directions for research are
identified.
Release Date: July 15, 2009