Pancreatic cancer is a gastrointestinal cancer. It begins in the pancreas, which is a gland located behind the stomach. The pancreas makes juices that help you digest food and makes hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.
You might not notice pancreatic cancer symptoms at all. Some signs of pancreatic cancer are:
- Abdominal or back pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, your doctor might recommend certain blood tests. Learn more about cancer prevention and screening.
There are two types of pancreatic tumors. The type of cancer depends on the cells in which cancer begins to grow. Pancreatic tumor types include:
- Exocrine tumors: Cancer that develops in exocrine cells, which make enzymes to help you digest food
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Tumors that begin in islet cells, which make hormones that control blood sugar levels
If you are having symptoms, our experts talk with you about what you're experiencing and any family history of cancer. We also do a physical examination to see if we can feel any swelling of other organs in your abdomen.
We may also do additional tests, including:
- Angiogram
- Biopsy
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy
- Endoscopic biopsy
- Surgical biopsy
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests
果冻视频 cancer experts consider your age, overall health and pancreatic cancer type and stage when designing your treatment plan. We use a range of cancer treatments to help you heal.
Your doctor may recommend:
- Ablation
- Chemotherapy
- Cryotherapy
- Embolization
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
If pancreatic cancer hasn't spread significantly, doctors may recommend surgery to remove tumors. When cancer has spread, we sometimes perform palliative surgery. The goal of these procedures is to help relieve symptoms or prevent complications.
Our experts and partners also research new ways to treat cancer. Please read about our work at 果冻视频 Research Center.