Surgery Followed by Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Cancer of the Pancreas
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2007-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Surgery to remove the pancreas, some of the small intestine, and lymph nodes may
be more effective treatment for cancer of the pancreas than surgery to remove the pancreas
and some of the small intestine alone. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage
tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing
so they stop growing or die. Combining surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy may be an
effective treatment for cancer of the pancreas.
PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of surgery to remove the
pancreas and a portion of the small intestine with or without removing lymph nodes, followed
by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, in treating patients with cancer of the pancreas.