Researchers announced earlier this summer at the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting that gemcitabine (Gemzar) is effective as a treatment after surgery for patients diagnosed with early-stage pancreatic cancer.

Gemzar is currently used as standard treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer that can not be removed by surgery. Previous results presented in 2005 showed that Gemzar increases the length of time a patient is free of cancer. The study was extended to see if Gemzar would affect survival. Results showed treatment with Gemzar more than doubled the five-year survival rate among patients, when used after surgery.

Each year researchers, doctors, and other health care professionals come together to discuss new findings and improvements in cancer care at the ASCO Annual Meeting. Cancer.Net gathers this information into an easy to follow format.

For more information about pancreatic cancer or any cancer concern, contact the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Information Service.

Phone: 800-237-1225
cancer-information@uiowa.edu
Walk-in: 200 Hawkins Drive, 4802 JPP
Iowa City, Iowa 52242