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Cancer Types
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a “silent disease” because it may not cause symptoms in the early stages. Pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed at more advanced stages.
In the next year, over 43,000 cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. There is also an inherited risk of pancreatic cancer in some families. br />
The National Cancer Institute has identified the following risk factors for pancreatic cancer:
The surgical procedure depends on the location and size of the tumor in the pancreas:
Contact the Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist for more information:
In the next year, over 43,000 cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. There is also an inherited risk of pancreatic cancer in some families. br />
The National Cancer Institute has identified the following risk factors for pancreatic cancer:
- Age – Most pancreatic cancers occur in people over the age of 60.
- Smoking – Smokers are 2 - 3 times more likely to develop cancer of the pancreas than non-smokers.
- Diabetes – Pancreatic cancer occurs in people with diabetes more often than in those who do not have diabetes.
- Gender – Pancreatic occurs more often in men.
- Family History – If a person’s first degree relative (mother, father, sister, or brother) had pancreatic cancer it triples the risk of that person developing the disease. If a person has a family history of colon or ovarian cancer the risk for developing pancreatic cancer increases.
- Chronic Pancreatitis – Some research has shown that chronic pancreatitis may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
- Physical Exam and Medical History
- Lab tests (blood work) – to check for bilirubin and other substances that could indicate the blockage of the common bile duct causing the bilirubin to build up in the blood, urine and stool because it cannot pass from the liver to the gallbladder due to the blockage.
- CT scan (computed tomography) – This scan requires the patient to lie on a bed that moves through an opening in the x-ray machine. The machine takes many x-rays (views) of the organs and vessels in the abdomen. CT can be used to get a specimen for analysis (needle biopsy).
- Ultrasound (US) – The ultrasound procedure may be used on the outside of the body or inside the body. The Transabdominal Ultrasound requires the doctor to place the ultrasound device on the abdomen and slowly move it around to allow the sound waves from the US to create a picture of the pancreas and other organs.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Requires the doctor to pass a small lighted tube through the patient’s mouth and into the patient’s stomach, down into the small intestines. At the end of the tube is an ultrasound device. This allows the doctor to obtain images of the pancreas, surrounding organs and tissues. A biopsy can be taken with EUS.
- ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) – The doctor passes a small scope through the patient’s mouth to the abdomen into the area of the pancreatic ducts. Dye is injecting through the scope and x-rays are taken. The x-rays can show if the ducts are blocked or narrowed by a tumor or other condition. Most importantly, a small tube (stent) can be placed which relieves jaundice associated with pancreatic cancer.
The surgical procedure depends on the location and size of the tumor in the pancreas:
- Whipple Procedure: If the tumor is located in the head of the pancreas, the surgery is to remove the head of the pancreas, bile duct, and part of the stomach and small intestine. This operation is very extensive and challenging to recover from; patients must be in good physical condition to undergo this operation.
- Distal pancreatectomy: The surgery is to remove the body and the tail of the pancreas if the tumor is located in either of these places in the pancreas. The spleen is also removed.
- Total pancreatectomy: The surgery removes the entire pancreas, a portion of the stomach, the common bile duct, and the gallbladder, part of the small intestine, the spleen, and the lymph nodes in the area. This operation is rarely performed due to the difficulty in managing the loss of insulin production.
- Radiation: Radiation is used to destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery. Radiation may be given alone, or with surgery, chemotherapy, or both. Sometimes radiation is used to palliate (relieve pain and other problems caused by the cancer). Radiation can be given with standard techniques or with the Cyberknife, a stereotactic unit.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill cancer cells. It may also be given alone, with radiation, or with surgery and radiation.
- General information about pancreatic cancer
- Risk Factors
- Symptoms
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment
- Prevention & Early Detection
- Genetic Counseling and Testing
- Nutrition
- Clinical Trials
- Resource Links
Contact the Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist for more information:
| Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist – Susan Yackzan, RN, MSN, AOCN, ARNP: Monday, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8:00am-4:30pm |
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| Location: Central Baptist Hospital Suite 606 1720 Building – Building E Lexington, KY Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 859-260-6578 Fax Number: 859-260-4462 |
Mailing Address: 1720 Nicholasville Rd. Suite 606 Lexington, KY 40503 |