Is There Any Medicine That Can Be Taken Along Chemotherapy For Pancreatic Cancer And Increase Survival Rate?

Posted on Mon, 2 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 2 Dec 2013 Answered on

Tue, 24 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm inquiring on behalf of my uncle. He is 60 years old, and has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He has done the surgery to remove the cancer and has been through three chemotherapy so far. We are wondering whether there is any medication he can take with the chemo therapy that would enhance recovery and the survival rate.

Answered by Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: detailed below Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXX, Thanks for your query. As you say that your uncle had surgery followed by chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, we have first be sure that no residual disease is left. If there was any suspicion of residual or pathologically there was vascular invasion, an adjuvant boost with intensity-modulated radiotherapy was essential. Since your doctors started with chemotherapy it suggests that no residual disease was left and the chemotherapy is adjuvant. In allopathy, there are no known agents to prevent recurrence other than the drugs, which your uncle is already being prescribed as adjuvant chemotherapy. There is claim from herbal medicine but no concrete evidence that some herbs can be used as adjunct to conventional chemotherapy to prevent recurrence. Of these, the wheat grass is important. Main aim is to increase body stamina, leave the body alkaline, oxidized and improve immunological status. Many formulations of these products are available on the counter, which your uncle can use in consultation with the person prescribing these. Truly, Dr. J. Ticku

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (21 hours later)

Dear Dr. J. Ticku, Thank you very much for your detailed response. For the wheat grass formulations, do you have any recommended brands? Also, I have basically zero knowledge in cancer, so I'll just ask whatever I've researched on the internet. I saw that gemzar can be used with the chemotherapy to enhance the survival time. Is that something that is already prescribed as a default medication with the chemotherapy, or is it something you need to consult with the doctor to add in? Thanks again for your help, this is very helpful! Best XXXXX

Answered by Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Gemzar is principal chemotherapy agent for pancreatic carcinoma. Detailed Answer: dear XXXXX, Thanks for reverting. Gemzar is a chemotherapy agent which is the principal drug for treatment of pancreatic carcinoma. This is given on weekly basis for thee weeks and then one weeks rest and continued again till the person can tolerate. It must have already been in your Uncles chemotherapy schedule - you can confirm from his doctors. Wheat grass is in powder form and Mexicans produce and distribute it. If you cannot find the address of venders for it I will search it for you. In the mean time you should add antioxidant containing vitamins to your Uncle along with chemotherapy to boost his stamina and prolong his survival. I will again impress upon you that it is a claim; but not very authentic that this alternative is helpful but at the same time there is no harm in using these. Truly, Dr. J. Ticku

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad