[Treatment of advanced pancreatic carcinoma]

Gemcitabine monotherapy extends survival times in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma compared with supportive treatment alone. Among patients who develop skin lesions of grade 2 or more, giving erlotinib in addition doubles survival times - from 5.9 to 10.5 months. Attempting therapy with gemcitabine plus erlotinib is therefore sensible. In patients with a good performance status, survival times can be extended using the combinations gemcitabine plus capecitabine or gemcitabine plus platinum. Radiochemotherapy is not sensible. For second-line treatment, oxaliplatin, 5-FU, and folic acid can be used.