Testing the Use of the Usual Chemotherapy Before and After Surgery for Removable Pancreatic Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

PRE-REGISTRATION:

* Pathology: Histologic or cytologic proof of pancreatic adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma
* TNM Stage: Tx-4, N0-1, M0 (M0 disease does not include spread to distant lymph nodes and organs)
* Resectable Primary Tumor: Local radiographic reading must be consistent with resectable disease defined as the following on 1) arterial and venous phase contrast-enhanced abdominal/pelvic CT scan or abdominal/pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and 2) chest CT:

  * No involvement or abutment of the celiac artery, common hepatic artery, superior mesenteric artery, or replaced right hepatic artery (if applicable)
  * Less than 180 degree interface between tumor and vessel wall of the portal vein or superior mesenteric vein, and patent portal vein/splenic vein confluence
  * No evidence of metastatic disease
* Measurable disease or non-measurable disease o Non-measurable disease is defined as cytologic or histologic confirmation of adenocarcinoma of adenosquamous carcinoma by fine needle aspiration or core-biopsy of the pancreas without measurable disease by radiographic imaging

REGISTRATION:

* Confirmation of resectable disease by real-time central imaging review by the Alliance Imaging Core Lab at Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) Ohio
* Determined to be appropriate candidate for curative-intent pancreatectomy by surgeon intending to perform the resection
* No prior radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, investigational therapy, or surgery for pancreatic cancer
* Not pregnant and not nursing, because this study involves an agent that has known genotoxic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects.
* Therefore, for women of childbearing potential only, a negative pregnancy test done =\< 14 days prior to registration is required
* Age \>= 18 years
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
* Total Neuropathy Score \< 2
* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1,500/uL
* Platelet count \>= 100,000/uL
* Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (If obstructive jaundice is present, then biliary drainage must be initiated and total bilirubin =\< 3.0)
* Creatinine =\< 1.5 x ULN OR calculated (Calc.) creatinine clearance \>= 30 mL/min (Calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation)
* No known Gilbert's Syndrome or known homozygosity for UGAT1A1\*28 polymorphism
* No comorbid conditions that would prohibit curative-intent pancreatectomy
* Chronic concomitant treatment with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 is not allowed on this study. Patients on strong CYP3A4 inhibitors must discontinue the drug prior to registration
* Chronic concomitant treatment with strong inducers of CYP3A4 is not allowed on this study. Patients on strong CYP3A4 inducers must discontinue the drug prior to registration