Adjuvant Treatment for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Surgical resection, such as pancreatoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy, is the standard curative treatment for resectable pancreatic cancer. So far, several studies suggested that management of micro metastasis is one of the approaches to improve pancreatic cancer patients. The use of chemotherapy or chemo radiation therapy during perioperative periods is most promising adjuvant treatment. To introduce the adjuvant treatment during perioperative periods for pancreatic cancer, it is necessary to establish the optimal methods, regimen, and timing of adjuvant treatment. To date, many randomized trials have been conducted to examine the efficacy of adjuvant therapies. Since 2000, different evidence has emerged for postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and perioperative adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable pancreatic cancer. This review summarizes the background, current status, and future perspectives of adjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer.