Pancreatic Cancer Summary The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach and in front of your spine. It produces the juices that help break down food and the hormones that help control blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer usually begins in the cells that produce the juices. Some risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer include Smoking Long-term diabetes Chronic pancreatitis Certain hereditary disorders Pancreatic cancer is hard to catch early. It doesn’t cause symptoms right away. When you do get symptoms, they are often vague or you may not notice them. They include yellowing of the skin and eyes, pain in the abdomen and back, weight loss and fatigue. Also, because the pancreas is hidden behind other organs, health care providers cannot see or feel the tumors during routine exams. Doctors use a physical exam, blood tests, imaging tests, and a biopsy to diagnose it. Because it is often found late and it spreads quickly, pancreatic cancer can be hard to treat. Possible treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Encyclopedia Abdominal CT scan Abdominal exploration Abdominal MRI Biopsy – biliary tract Fecal fat Gastrin blood test Glucagonoma Insulinoma Lipase test Pancreatic islet cell tumor Secretin stimulation test Surgery for pancreatic cancer Surgery for pancreatic cancer — discharge Trypsinogen test Vasoactive intestinal peptide test VIPoma Array Abdominal exploration – slideshow After chemotherapy – discharge Amylase – urine Pancreatic cancer Zollinger-Ellison syndrome Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society ASGE: Find a Doctor American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Diagnosis and Tests Amylase Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry CA 19-9 (Cancer Antigen 19-9) American Association for Clinical Chemistry Can Pancreatic Cancer Be Found Early? American Cancer Society ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases How Is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed? American Cancer Society Metastasis Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology Stages of Pancreatic Cancer National Cancer Institute Stages of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors National Cancer Institute Statistics and Research Cancer of the Pancreas National Cancer Institute Learning about Cancer by Studying Stem Cells National Institute of General Medical Sciences Researchers Identify Early Sign of Pancreatic Cancer Dana-Farber Cancer Institute What Are the Key Statistics about Pancreatic Cancer? American Cancer Society What’s New in Pancreatic Cancer Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Islet Cell National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Pancreatic Neoplasms National Institutes of Health Treatments and Therapies Complementary Pancreatitis Therapies National Pancreas Foundation Drugs Approved for Pancreatic Cancer National Cancer Institute Gonzalez Regimen (PDQ) National Cancer Institute Pancreatic Cancer: Surgery American Cancer Society Treatment Option Overview (Pancreatic Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Option Overview (Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors / Islet Cell Tumors) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options by Stage (Pancreatic Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors National Cancer Institute Whipple Procedure Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology Reference Desk Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute Normal Pancreas Anatomy National Cancer Institute What Is the Pancreas? Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology Start Here General Information about Pancreatic Cancer National Cancer Institute Pancreatic Cancer Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Pancreatic Cancer (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate What Is Pancreatic Cancer? American Cancer Society What You Need to Know about Cancer of the Pancreas National Cancer Institute Specifics General Information about Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (Islet Cell Tumors) National Cancer Institute Pancreatic Exocrine Tumors Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs) Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Related Issues Hispanics and Pancreatic Cancer: Things to Know National Cancer Institute What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor? Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology What Should You Ask Your Health Care Team About Pancreatic Cancer? American Cancer Society Living With How Are Diet & Exercise Affected? Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology Nutrition After a Whipple Procedure Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Pancreatic Enzymes Pancreatic Cancer Action Network What Happens After Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer? American Cancer Society Genetics Is Pancreatic Cancer Hereditary? Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome American Society of Clinical Oncology Health Check Tools Pancreatic Cancer Risk Questionnaire Siteman Cancer Center Images Pancreatic Cancer Stage 2A National Cancer Institute Pancreatic Cancer Stage 2B National Cancer Institute Pancreatic Cancer Stage 3 National Cancer Institute Pancreatic Cancer Stage 4 National Cancer Institute Journal Articles Pancreatic Cancer Patient Handouts Understanding Chemotherapy National Cancer Institute What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute Prevention and Risk Factors What Are the Risk Factors for Cancer of the Pancreas? American Cancer Society Videos and Tutorials Whipple Procedure for Pancreatic Cancer OR-Live Latest News Additional Treatments Offer Little Benefit for Pancreatic Cancer: Study HealthDay
