Pancreatic Cancer Specialist

What is pancreatic cancer?

Your pancreas is a gland in your abdomen that produces insulin and other enzymes that aid digestion. Pancreatic cancer occurs when your pancreas produces more cells than you need or your old cells don’t die. This leads to a mass of extra cells that make up a tumor.

Pancreatic cancer is identified by the type of cells it starts in. For example, adenocarcinoma is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, which begins in your pancreatic duct, where digestive enzymes are made. Only around 7% of pancreatic cancers are neuroendocrine tumors which develop in the cells that produce insulin.

What causes pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is caused by changes in your DNA that trigger abnormal cell growth. These changes can be hereditary or they could be linked to exposure to toxins. In some cases, genetic changes are random.

Your risk of developing pancreatic cancer is higher if you have a family history of the disease. Additionally, conditions like chronic pancreatitis and diabetes can also increase your risk of pancreatic cancer.

What are the signs of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer often shows no symptoms, but it can cause vague, easy-to-ignore symptoms like:

• Lower back or abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Jaundice
• Lost appetite
• Nausea
• Pancreatitis
• Recent-onset diabetes

If you have one or more of these symptoms, especially if you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, make an appointment at Wellness Oncology & Hematology for a diagnosis. The team uses CT scans, MRIs, and endoscopic ultrasounds to identify tumors. If they find a tumor, they perform a biopsy to test cells from your pancreas for cancer.

How is pancreatic cancer treated?

The team at Wellness Oncology & Hematology provide customized treatment of pancreatic cancer depending on the stage of your disease. In many cases, your doctor uses a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to fight your cancer. You can also ask your doctor about clinical trials.

While pancreatic cancer is often challenging to diagnose, the team uses the best possible diagnostic tools and treatments to help you fight cancer and survive.

If you’re concerned about pancreatic cancer, call Wellness Oncology & Hematology or make an appointment online today.