Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) have been testing a new treatment method for patients with pancreatic cancer and they found preliminary results quite promising.
Last year, one of the UPMC patients, Darlene Bossola, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who made an early decision to fight her cancer by taking part in a clinical trial.
Darlene said, “When you’re diagnosed with stage three, you want something to happen, for the better.”
Darlene used to undergo standard chemotherapy and radiation before enrolling into the trial.
During the trial, Darlene received eight experimental treatments, including a procedure in which doctors inserted a catheter into the pancreas.
UPMC Interventional Radiologist Dr. Paula Novelli said, “We bathe the tumor with chemotherapy directly to the tumor, without having to go through the bloodstream.”
Darlene said she is quite pleased with the results, with little to no side effects.
Bossola said, “I have been feeling good my entire process. I’ve not had any ill effects like nausea. The only effect I’ve had is fatigue.” Doctors will continue to monitor Bossola’s progress.
