- Dose escalation: 1) Three patients will be treated at the first dose level of gemcitabine. Labs will be monitored on a weekly basis, including a CBC, Chem-7, and LFT's. In the absence of developing dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) among the first 3 patients treated, dosages can be escalated. DLT will be defined as any grade 3 or higher renal toxicity, thrombocytopenia or other grade 3 toxicity not related to surgery 2) If none of these 3 patients have any toxicity, we will proceed to the next level of gemcitabine. 3) If DLT occurs in 1 of 3 patients at a given dose level, then 3 additional patients are added at that dose (for a total of 6 at this level)If no DLT occurs, we will proceed to the next level of gemcitabine. If DLT occurs in another patient, this dose is considered the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). 4) At any dose, 3 cases of DLT lead to discontinuation of recruitment at that dose and enrollment of 3 additional patients at a lower dose.