Summary
This phase III trial compares perioperative chemotherapy (given around the time of surgery) versus adjuvant chemotherapy (given after surgery) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer that can be removed by surgery (removable/resectable). Chemotherapy drugs, such as fluorouracil, irinotecan, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving chemotherapy before and after surgery (perioperative) may work better in treating patients with pancreatic cancer compared to giving chemotherapy after surgery (adjuvant).