Pancreatic cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the pancreas.
The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach, inside the abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digest food and makes hormones, including insulin, that help control blood sugar.
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early. This is because early pancreatic cancer doesn’t typically appear on imaging tests and usually does not show symptoms until it has spread to other organs.
Most pancreatic cancers are diagnosed in later stages, when the cancer has spread or grown and treatment options are limited.
Treatments can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and combinations of different treatments. At WashU Medicine, patients have access to the latest advances in pancreatic cancer treatment, and our expert care teams are here to help develop the best treatment plan for each person.
Pancreatic cancer surgeons at WashU Medicine
Our HPB-GI surgeons see patients for pancreatic cancer at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, as well as convenient locations across the region.
What is the pancreas?
The pancreas is an organ in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach. It is responsible for producing enzymes that digest food and creating hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.
The pancreas is part of the digestive system and the endocrine system. It includes two main kinds of cells:
- Exocrine cells make enzymes that aid in digestion.
- Endocrine cells produce important hormones.
Most pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine cells. These cancers are called pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
Pancreatic cancer risk factors
A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of developing pancreatic cancer. Some risk factors can be changed or prevented, while others can’t be changed.
Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:
- Smoking and tobacco use: People who use tobacco are more likely to get pancreatic cancer. The National Cancer Institue notes that smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of pancreatic cancer, among other cancers.
- Obesity and overweight: People with obesity or overweight are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
- Age: Pancreatic cancer risk is much higher in people over 55 years old.
- Family history: Having family members with hereditary DNA changes including changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can increase pancreatic cancer risk.
- Diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
- Chronic pancreatitis: Long-term inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis, is linked with increased pancreatic cancer risk.
Pancreatic cancer is slightly more common among men than women, though anyone can get pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer symptoms
Pancreatic cancer does not typically cause symptoms in its early stages. This makes it more difficult to diagnose. When pancreatic cancer is more advanced, it may show symptoms including:
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Jaundice (yellowing skin and eyes)
- Light-colored stool
- Dark-colored urine
- Itching
- New diabetes or diabetes that is harder to control
- Pain or swelling in an arm or leg (which may be caused by a blood clot)
- Tiredness or weakness
Pancreatic cancer diagnosis
Early detection of pancreatic cancer can be challenging because symptoms often do not appear until the disease is advanced.
Tests used to diagnose pancreatic cancer can include:
- Imaging tests, including ultrasound, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Biopsy, or removal of a small tissue sample
- Blood tests
- Genetic testing
Pancreatic cancer treatment
Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on how advanced the cancer is and where it is located. Treatments can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and pain management.
Pancreatic cancer surgery
Surgery for pancreatic cancer can cure the disease if the surgeons are able to remove all of the cancer cells. There are different procedures for pancreatic cancer, depending on the location and size of the tumor.
Learn more: 4 things to know about minimally invasive pancreatic cancer surgery
Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy)
The Whipple procedure, also called a pancreaticoduodenectomy, is an operation that removes part of the pancreas, intestine, nearby lymph nodes, gallbladder, bile duct and, in some cases, parts of the stomach.
Distal pancreatectomy
During this procedure, the surgeon removes the tail of the pancreas, part of the pancreas body, and, typically, the spleen.
Total pancreatectomy
This surgery removes the entire pancreas, as well as the gallbladder, spleen, and part of the stomach and small intestine.
Why choose WashU Medicine for pancreatic cancer care?
Most pancreatic cancers are diagnosed when the cancer has reached an advanced stage, meaning it is harder to treat. When cancer is confined to the pancreas, it can often be removed with surgery. Even when the cancer has spread to nearby areas, surgical treatment may be able to remove the cancer.
Surgery for pancreatic cancer is complex, requiring surgical expertise and a dedicated team of health care professionals.
At WashU Medicine, our pancreatic surgeons are among the nation’s best. At WashU Medicine, you have access to:
- Surgeons who see a high volume of pancreatic cancer cases: Although pancreatic cancer is less common than some other types of cancer, we see a high volume of patients with this disease. This means our surgeons have the experience necessary to provide expert care.
- The latest advances in surgery: Our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive surgical approaches that often result in shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and less pain than traditional open surgery. At WashU Medicine, we have experts in robotically-assisted pancreatic surgery, which uses the latest technology to treat cancer through small incisions.
- An exceptional cancer care team: Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine is the only National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Missouri. Siteman offers personalized cancer care, meaning you have a team of specialists at your side no matter what treatment is best for you.
