Living with pancreatic cancer
If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may be exploring all the potential treatment options. This website is here to help. It guides you through the available options so that you can make informed decisions about your pancreatic cancer treatment.
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be overwhelming, with so much to think about. The content here aims to be as straightforward as possible. Have a look around, and feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.
What are the treatment options for pancreatic cancer?
The choice of pancreatic cancer treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, the type of pancreatic cancer, and the overall health of the person living with it. Broadly speaking, treatments can be classified as follows:
Surgery
Surgery may be performed to remove the tumour, part or all of the pancreas.
Surgery may be suitable if pancreatic cancer is found early and has not spread to other organs. In many cases, pancreatic cancer is not suitable for surgery because the cancer is either locally advanced (known as ‘stage 3’) or has spread to other parts of the body (‘metastatic’ or ‘stage 4’).
If the cancer cannot be removed, surgery may sometimes still be an option to help control some of the symptoms.
Recovery from surgery can take a long time. If it’s a suitable option for you, the specialist team looking after you will discuss all the benefits and side effects before you make a decision.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be an appropriate treatment at any stage of pancreatic cancer, and can be used in several ways:
- As the main treatment
- To control symptoms if you’re not able to have surgery. It may be combined with radiotherapy (‘chemoradiotherapy’)
- Before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
- After surgery to help stop the cancer coming back
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays of radiation to kill cancer cells. It is not often used to treat pancreatic cancer, but when it is, it may be used in the following ways:
- To treat early cancer if surgery is not appropriate – it’s usually combined with chemotherapy (‘chemoradiotherapy’)
- With chemotherapy before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
- To help control and improve the symptoms of advanced cancer
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy that involves placing a radioactive source inside or near a tumour to treat the cancer. Brachytherapy allows for higher doses of radiation to be delivered to the tumour while minimising damage to the surrounding tissue. When used to treat pancreatic cancer, the aim of brachytherapy is to control the local disease and when possible, shrink the tumour enough to allow for surgery. It is used in combination with chemotherapy.
OncoSil™ is a type of brachytherapy for people with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. The treatment is available in the UK, privately, via the link below.
Additional Resources
For more information about pancreatic cancer and the available treatments, you may find the links below useful.
OncoSil™ UK Private Programme
What is OncoSil™?
OncoSil™ is a treatment for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. It is a medical device that delivers a targeted dose of radiation directly into cancerous tissue.
OncoSil™ contains radioactive Phosphorous (P-32) microparticles. These microparticles are tiny, and range in diameter from 28 to 32 micrometres, which is smaller than the width of a human hair. Once implanted, the OncoSil™ microparticles remain permanently in the tumour.
OncoSil™ is injected directly into the tumour under endoscopic ultrasound image guidance.
Once implanted, radiation is delivered continuously to the tumour over 81 days. The OncoSil™ microparticles will remain permanently in the tumour. They have been tested to ensure long-term safety.
The radiation emitted by OncoSil™ attacks the cancer cells’ DNA. This stops the cancer cells from dividing and spreading. This mode of action is designed to shrink the tumour by killing off the cancer cells.
How does the OncoSil™ UK private programme work?
OncoSil™ is available at approved treatment centres via private medical insurance or self-pay.
Who qualifies for the OncoSil™ UK private programme?
You might be suitable for the UK private programme if either applies to you:
- You have Private Medical Insurance (note – not all private medical insurance policies cover OncoSil™. Enquire with an approved OncoSil™ treatment centre)
- You have private funds to pay for the treatment and procedure. Enquire with an approved OncoSil™ treatment centre to get an estimate of how much the treatment will cost.
Think you may be suitable for OncoSil™ treatment?
Discuss the potential suitability of OncoSil™ with your oncologist.
Your oncologist would then discuss treatment with the Oncology team at an approved OncoSil™ treatment centre.
If your suitability is confirmed, you will be referred to an approved OncoSil™ treatment centre.
Find a treatment centre
Use our treatment centre finder to see where OncoSil™ is available.
Which specialist teams are involved?
Oncology
Expertise in assessing, treating and managing patients with pancreatic cancer.
Gastroenterology/ Endoscopy
Specialists can diagnose pancreatic cancer as well as perform therapeutic procedures.
Nuclear Medicine
Diagnosing, monitoring and treating pancreatic cancer.
Medical Physics
State-of-the-art tumour profiling and treatment planning.
Talking about OncoSil™ with your oncologist
If you think OncoSil™ might be an option for you, talk to your oncologist. You can either share the link to this page with them, or share the resources below:
Information for your oncologist:
Still got questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.
