The summaries are reviewed Hunger and poverty and changes cancerr made when Canfer is new Extra virgin olive. Because of this, these cancers are usually found earlier than most pancreatic cancers, and they usually have a better prognosis outlook. Stage II is divided into stages IIA and IIB, depending on the size of the tumor and where the cancer has spread.

Pancreatic cancer -

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Home Cancer Types Pancreatic Cancer Patient Pancreatic Cancer Treatment PDQ® —Patient Version. Pancreatic Cancer Patient Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Treatment Childhood Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Health Professional Research Advances.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment PDQ® —Patient Version On This Page General Information About Pancreatic Cancer Stages of Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Option Overview Treatment of Resectable or Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Treatment of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treatment of Metastatic or Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer Palliative Therapy To Learn More About Pancreatic Cancer About This PDQ Summary General Information About Pancreatic Cancer Go to Health Professional Version.

Key Points Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. Smoking and health history can affect the risk of pancreatic cancer. Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice, pain, and weight loss.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early. Tests that examine the pancreas are used to diagnose and stage pancreatic cancer. Certain factors affect prognosis chance of recovery and treatment options. To make juices that help digest break down food. To make hormones , such as insulin and glucagon , that help control blood sugar levels.

Both of these hormones help the body use and store the energy it gets from food. Being very overweight. Having a personal history of diabetes or chronic pancreatitis.

Having a family history of pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis. Having certain hereditary conditions , such as: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 MEN1 syndrome. Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer HNPCC; Lynch syndrome.

von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma FAMMM syndrome.

Jaundice yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Light-colored stools. Dark urine. Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back. Weight loss for no known reason.

Loss of appetite. Feeling very tired. The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, when present, are like the signs and symptoms of many other illnesses. The pancreas is hidden behind other organs such as the stomach, small intestine , liver , gallbladder , spleen , and bile ducts.

Physical exam and health history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. Blood chemistry studies : A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances, such as bilirubin , released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body.

An unusual higher or lower than normal amount of a substance can be a sign of disease. Tumor marker test : A procedure in which a sample of blood, urine , or tissue is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances, such as CA , and carcinoembryonic antigen CEA , made by organs, tissues, or tumor cells in the body.

Certain substances are linked to specific types of cancer when found in increased levels in the body. These are called tumor markers. MRI magnetic resonance imaging : A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves , and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging NMRI. CT scan CAT scan : A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles.

The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

A spiral or helical CT scan makes a series of very detailed pictures of areas inside the body using an x-ray machine that scans the body in a spiral path. PET scan positron emission tomography scan : A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body.

A small amount of radioactive glucose sugar is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body.

Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.

A PET scan and CT scan may be done at the same time. This is called a PET-CT. Abdominal ultrasound : An ultrasound exam used to make pictures of the inside of the abdomen. The ultrasound transducer is pressed against the skin of the abdomen and directs high-energy sound waves ultrasound into the abdomen.

The sound waves bounce off the internal tissues and organs and make echoes. The transducer receives the echoes and sends them to a computer, which uses the echoes to make pictures called sonograms.

The picture can be printed to be looked at later. Endoscopic ultrasound EUS : A procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into the body, usually through the mouth or rectum. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing.

A probe at the end of the endoscope is used to bounce high-energy sound waves ultrasound off internal tissues or organs and make echoes.

The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. This procedure is also called endosonography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP : A procedure used to x-ray the ducts tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and from the gallbladder to the small intestine.

Sometimes pancreatic cancer causes these ducts to narrow and block or slow the flow of bile, causing jaundice. An endoscope a thin, lighted tube is passed through the mouth, esophagus , and stomach into the first part of the small intestine.

A catheter a smaller tube is then inserted through the endoscope into the pancreatic ducts. A dye is injected through the catheter into the ducts and an x-ray is taken. If the ducts are blocked by a tumor, a fine tube may be inserted into the duct to unblock it.

This tube or stent may be left in place to keep the duct open. Tissue samples may also be taken. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography PTC : A procedure used to x-ray the liver and bile ducts. A thin needle is inserted through the skin below the ribs and into the liver. Dye is injected into the liver or bile ducts and an x-ray is taken.

If a blockage is found, a thin, flexible tube called a stent is sometimes left in the liver to drain bile into the small intestine or a collection bag outside the body. This test is done only if ERCP cannot be done.

Laparoscopy : A surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the abdomen to check for signs of disease. Small incisions cuts are made in the wall of the abdomen and a laparoscope a thin, lighted tube is inserted into one of the incisions.

The laparoscope may have an ultrasound probe at the end in order to bounce high-energy sound waves off internal organs, such as the pancreas. This is called laparoscopic ultrasound. Other instruments may be inserted through the same or other incisions to perform procedures such as taking tissue samples from the pancreas or a sample of fluid from the abdomen to check for cancer.

Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. There are several ways to do a biopsy for pancreatic cancer. A fine needle or a core needle may be inserted into the pancreas during an x-ray or ultrasound to remove cells.

Tissue may also be removed during a laparoscopy or surgery to remove the tumor. Whether or not the tumor can be removed by surgery. The stage of the cancer the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread outside the pancreas to nearby tissues or lymph nodes or to other places in the body.

Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred come back. Key Points Tests and procedures to stage pancreatic cancer are usually done at the same time as diagnosis. There are three ways that cancer spreads in the body. Cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body.

The following stages are used for pancreatic cancer: Stage 0 Carcinoma in Situ Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV The following groups are used to plan treatment: Resectable pancreatic cancer Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer Locally advanced pancreatic cancer Metastatic pancreatic cancer Recurrent pancreatic cancer.

The cancer spreads from where it began by growing into nearby areas. Lymph system. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the lymph system. The cancer travels through the lymph vessels to other parts of the body. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the blood.

The cancer travels through the blood vessels to other parts of the body. The cancer gets into the lymph system, travels through the lymph vessels, and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body.

The cancer gets into the blood, travels through the blood vessels, and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body. Stage IA: The tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller. Stage IB: The tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters. Stage IIA: The tumor is larger than 4 centimeters.

Enlarge Stage IIA pancreatic cancer. The tumor is larger than 4 centimeters. Stage IIB: The tumor is any size and cancer has spread to 1 to 3 nearby lymph nodes. Enlarge Stage IIB pancreatic cancer. The tumor is any size and cancer has spread to 1 to 3 nearby lymph nodes.

four or more nearby lymph nodes ; or the major blood vessels near the pancreas. Key Points There are different types of treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer. The following types of treatment are used: Surgery Radiation therapy Chemotherapy Chemoradiation therapy Targeted therapy There are treatments for pain caused by pancreatic cancer.

Patients with pancreatic cancer have special nutritional needs. New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials. Treatment for pancreatic cancer may cause side effects. Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or after starting their cancer treatment.

Follow-up tests may be needed. Whipple procedure : A surgical procedure in which the head of the pancreas , the gallbladder , part of the stomach , part of the small intestine , and the bile duct are removed.

Enough of the pancreas is left to produce digestive juices and insulin. Total pancreatectomy : This operation removes the whole pancreas, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine, the common bile duct , the gallbladder, the spleen , and nearby lymph nodes.

Distal pancreatectomy : Surgery to remove the body and the tail of the pancreas. The spleen may also be removed if cancer has spread to the spleen. Biliary bypass : If cancer is blocking the bile duct and bile is building up in the gallbladder, a biliary bypass may be done.

During this operation, the doctor will cut the gallbladder or bile duct in the area before the blockage and sew it to the small intestine to create a new pathway around the blocked area.

Endoscopic stent placement: If the tumor is blocking the bile duct, surgery may be done to put in a stent a thin tube to drain bile that has built up in the area.

The doctor may place the stent through a catheter that drains the bile into a bag on the outside of the body or the stent may go around the blocked area and drain the bile into the small intestine.

Gastric bypass: If the tumor is blocking the flow of food from the stomach, the stomach may be sewn directly to the small intestine so the patient can continue to eat normally. Treatment of resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer may include the following: Chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy followed by surgery.

Surgery followed by chemotherapy. Surgery followed by chemoradiation. A clinical trial of chemoradiation followed by surgery and then chemotherapy. A clinical trial of different ways of giving radiation therapy.

Treatment of pancreatic cancer that is locally advanced may include the following: Chemotherapy with or without targeted therapy. Chemotherapy and chemoradiation. Surgery Whipple procedure , total pancreatectomy , or distal pancreatectomy.

Palliative surgery or stent placement to bypass blocked areas in ducts or the small intestine. Some patients may also receive chemotherapy and chemoradiation to shrink the tumor to allow for surgery. A clinical trial of new anticancer therapies together with chemotherapy or chemoradiation.

A clinical trial of radiation therapy given during surgery or internal radiation therapy. Treatment of pancreatic cancer that has metastasized or recurred may include the following: Chemotherapy with or without targeted therapy.

Clinical trials of new anticancer agents with or without chemotherapy. Palliative therapy for pancreatic cancer includes the following: Palliative surgery or stent placement to bypass blocked areas in ducts or the small intestine. Palliative radiation therapy to help relieve pain by shrinking the tumor.

An injection of medicine to help relieve pain by blocking nerves in the abdomen. Other palliative medical care alone. For more information from the National Cancer Institute about pancreatic cancer, see the following: Pancreatic Cancer Home Page Childhood Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Drugs Approved for Pancreatic Cancer Targeted Cancer Therapies.

About Cancer Staging Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer Radiation Therapy and You: Support for People With Cancer Coping with Cancer Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Cancer For Survivors and Caregivers. About PDQ Physician Data Query PDQ is the National Cancer Institute's NCI's comprehensive cancer information database.

Surgery might not be possible if the cancer grows large or extends into nearby blood vessels. In these situations, treatment might start with other options, such as chemotherapy.

Sometimes surgery might be done after these other treatments. Surgery for cancers in the pancreatic head. It also involves removing the first part of the small intestine and the bile duct. Sometimes the surgeon removes part of the stomach and nearby lymph nodes. The remaining organs are rejoined to allow food to move through the digestive system.

Each of these operations carries the risk of bleeding and infection. After surgery some people have nausea and vomiting if the stomach has trouble emptying, called delayed gastric emptying. Expect a long recovery after any of these procedures.

You'll spend several days in the hospital and then recover for several weeks at home. Research shows that pancreatic cancer surgery tends to cause fewer complications when done by highly experienced surgeons at centers that do many of these operations.

Ask about your surgeon's and hospital's experience with pancreatic cancer surgery. If you have any doubts, get a second opinion.

Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells. Treatment might involve one chemotherapy medicine or a mix of them. Most chemotherapy medicines are given through a vein, but some are taken in pill form. Chemotherapy might be the first treatment used when the first treatment can't be surgery.

Chemotherapy also might be given at the same time as radiation therapy. Sometimes this combination of treatments shrinks the cancer enough to make surgery possible. This approach to treatment is offered at specialized medical centers that have experience caring for many people with pancreatic cancer.

When the cancer is advanced and spreads to other parts of the body, chemotherapy can help control it. Chemotherapy might help relieve symptoms, such as pain. Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams to kill cancer cells. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources.

During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you. The machine directs radiation to precise points on your body. Radiation can be used either before or after surgery.

It's often done after chemotherapy. Radiation also can be combined with chemotherapy. When surgery isn't an option, radiation therapy and chemotherapy might be the first treatment. This combination of treatments might shrink the cancer and make surgery possible.

When the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, radiation therapy can help relieve symptoms, such as pain. Immunotherapy is a treatment with medicine that helps the body's immune system kill cancer cells. The immune system fights off diseases by attacking germs and other cells that shouldn't be in the body.

Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the immune system cells find and kill the cancer cells. Immunotherapy might be an option if your pancreatic cancer has specific DNA changes that would make the cancer likely to respond to these treatments.

Clinical trials are studies of new treatments. These studies provide a chance to try the latest treatments. The risk of side effects might not be known. Ask your health care professional if you might be able to be in a clinical trial. Palliative care is a special type of health care that helps people with serious illness feel better.

If you have cancer, palliative care can help relieve pain and other symptoms. A team of health care professionals does palliative care. The team can include doctors, nurses and other specially trained professionals. The team's goal is to improve quality of life for you and your family.

Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your care team to help you feel better. They provide an extra layer of support while you have cancer treatment.

You can have palliative care at the same time as strong cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. When palliative care is used with all the other appropriate treatments, people with cancer may feel better and live longer. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Some integrative medicine and alternative therapies may help with symptoms caused by cancer or cancer treatments.

People with cancer often have distress. Distress might feel like worry, fear, anger and sadness. If have these feelings, you may find it hard to sleep. You might think about your cancer all the time.

Discuss your feelings with a member of your health care team. Specialists can help you sort through your feelings. They can help you find ways to cope. In some cases, medicines may help. Integrative medicine and alternative therapies also may help you cope with your feelings.

Examples include:. Talk with a member of your health care team if you'd like to try some of these treatment options. Learning you have a life-threatening illness can feel stressful.

Some of the following suggestions may help:. Learn about your cancer. Learn enough about your cancer to help you make decisions about your care.

Ask a member of your health care team about the details of your cancer and your treatment options. Ask about trusted sources of more information. If you're doing your own research, good places to start are the National Cancer Institute and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Start by making an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have symptoms that worry you. You might then be referred to:.

When you call to make the appointment, ask about anything you need to do for the appointment, such as restricting your diet. Ask a relative or friend to go with you to help you remember all the information.

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Diagnosis Pancreatic cancer FAQs Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about pancreatic cancer from Mayo Clinic surgical oncologist Chee-Chee Stucky, M. Is pancreatic cancer preventable?

Do all pancreatic cysts become cancerous? How are breast cancer and pancreatic cancer connected? What is the Whipple procedure?

Can you live without a pancreas? How can I be the best partner to my medical team? Pancreatic ultrasound Enlarge image Close. Pancreatic ultrasound During an endoscopic ultrasound of the pancreas, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube endoscope down your throat and into your stomach.

Care at Mayo Clinic Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your pancreatic cancer-related health concerns Start Here. More Information Pancreatic cancer care at Mayo Clinic CT scan Endoscopic ultrasound MRI Needle biopsy Positron emission tomography scan Ultrasound Show more related information.

Whipple procedure Enlarge image Close. Whipple procedure The Whipple procedure, also called pancreaticoduodenectomy, is an operation to remove the head of the pancreas.

More Information Pancreatic cancer care at Mayo Clinic Chemotherapy Integrative medicine Palliative care Proton therapy Radiation therapy Whipple procedure Dr.

Mark Truty surgery, MN better outcomes with chemo Infographic: Pancreatic Cancer: Minimally Invasive Surgery Infographic: Pancreatic Cancers-Whipple Show more related information.

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By Mayo Clinic Staff. Pancreatic Cancer Discussions Have you ever had hiccups with or after chemotherapy? Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others Replies Sun, Feb 11, chevron-right. Pancreatic cancer recurrence: Anyone else? Show references AskMayoExpert.

Pancreatic cancer adult. Mayo Clinic; Groggins M, et al. Management of patients with increased risk for familial pancreatic cancer: Updated recommendations from the International Cancer of the Pancrease Screening CAPS Consortium.

Debouk M, et al. The Multicenter Cancer of Pancreas screening study: Impact on stage and survival. Journal of Clinical Oncology. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Accessed April 27, De la Fuente J, et al. How I approach screening for pancreatic cancer.

American Journal of Gastroenterology. Fernandez-del Castillo C. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and staging of exocrine pancreatic cancer. Accessed April 26, Pancreatic cancer treatment PDQ — Health professional version.

National Cancer Institute. Distress management. Ryan DP. Initial systemic chemotherapy for metastatic exocrine pancreatic cancer. Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma: Diagnosis and treatment adult. Fernandez-del Castillo C, et al.

Overview of surgery in the treatment of exocrine pancreatic cancer and prognosis.

CallPancrestic Hunger and poverty pancan. org or. Contact Caner Patient Services for free, in-depth Panfreatic personalized resources and information HbAc test comparison pancreatic cancer. More than 64, Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. Learn more about the disease and how PanCAN can help. PanCAN was the first organization dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer in a comprehensive way.