Chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer

How chemotherapy is used?

Chemotherapy can be used in different ways. It can be used:

• after surgery, to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back
• before surgery, to try to shrink the cancer so there is a better chance of removing it
• to slow down the growth of cancer that can’t be removed (locally advanced pancreatic cancer).

Diet and chemotherapy

The pancreas produces enzymes that help to break down your food (part of digestion). Pancreatic cancer can cause problems with digestion. This causes symptoms such as weight and appetite loss, tummy pain and changes to your poo.

This can be managed with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). This replaces the enzymes your pancreas normally makes and helps to break down food. Brands include Creon^®, Nutrizym^® and Pancrex^®.

PERT can help you cope better with chemotherapy. Most people with pancreatic cancer will need to take PERT. If you haven’t been given PERT, ask your doctor or nurse about it. A dietitian can also help you manage digestion. If you haven’t seen a dietitian, ask your GP, chemotherapy team or nurse to refer you.

Diabetes and chemotherapy

Diabetes is a condition where the amount of sugar in your blood is too high. If you have diabetes, speak to your oncologist, cancer nurse or diabetes nurse about how chemotherapy may affect your diabetes, and how to manage it. For example, some chemotherapy drugs are mixed in liquids which can affect your blood sugar levels. Steroids used to treat sickness may also affect blood sugar levels.

Updated May 2024

Review date October 2026