[A 40-year-old patient with diffuse pain in the lower backbone].
METHODS
A 40-year-old female patient with pancreatic cancer stage IV and multiple liver metastases is reported. Palliative chemotherapy was performed with gemcitabine monotherapy. A good control of tumor growth as well as tumor-related symptoms could be achieved for years. Finally, a rapid progression within 2 months resulted in the patient's death.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report demonstrates the problems of modern pancreatic cancer therapy. The goals of therapy are cancer control and control of tumor-related symptoms. New agents and the inclusion of tumor biology and mechanism of resistance should result in individual treatment strategies.
Bartscht
Tobias
T
I. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel. bartscht@1med.uni-kiel.de
Sebens
Thorsten
T
Gieseler
Frank
F
Fölsch
Ulrich R
UR
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010166:Palliative Care; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography