Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind the lower part of the stomach, and it makes enzymes that help digest food and hormones that help manage blood sugar. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This type begins in the cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer rarely is found at its early stages when the chance of curing it is greatest. This is because it often doesn't cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer often doesn't cause symptoms until the disease is advanced. When they happen, signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include:

• Belly pain that spreads to the sides or back
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Weight loss
  
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice
  
• Light-colored or floating stools
  
• Dark-colored urine
  
• Itching
  
• New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that's getting harder to control
  
• Pain and swelling in an arm or leg, which might be caused by a blood clot
  
• Tiredness or weakness

Procedures for Pancreatic Cancer

• Distal Pancreatectomy
  A distal pancreatectomy is a minimally invasive pancreatic cancer treatment where your doctor removes the body and tail of the pancreas.
  
• Whipple Procedure (Pancreatoduodenectomy)
  This operation removes tumors on the top of the pancreas, the lower portion of the bile duct and the ampulla of Vater. Also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, the procedure can be performed robotically or laparoscopically.
  
• Pancreatic Enucleation
  Enucleation of pancreatic tumors is a less extensive surgical technique in which certain types of low-grade or benign pancreatic tumors are removed with a minimal margin of the healthy pancreatic tissue, thus preserving maximum healthy tissue for optimal functioning.
  
• Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery
  Laparoscopic surgery allows the surgeon to access the abdomen via several small "keyhole" incisions (less than one centimeter each). Many patients with pancreatic cysts that require surgery are candidates for this approach, which offers smaller incisions, shorter hospitalization (typically 2 days), less pain, and a faster return to work and life.

Meet Our Team

• Ganesh Gunasekaran, MD, FACS
  
• Hideo Takahashi, MD, FACS
  
• Frank Gress, MD
  • Jamie Fenster, PA-C
    
  • Medical Oncology Team
    
  • Radiation Oncology Team
    

Learn More

Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery (HPB) Program
Interventional Endoscopy & General GI
Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy Unit
Cancer Treatment & Oncology Care