Which options are available for people with pancreatic cancer stage 4?

Palliation: By the time that these cancers are stage 4, there is not much that can be done that is curative. Chemotherapy (gemcitabine) may slow the tumor down or mitigate some of the tumor symptoms. Radiation may also be used in a palliative manner to decrease some of the symptoms. Surgery is not done as the tumor is too widespread. Finally, an option is hospice care, particularly if the patient is frail.