Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a formidable disease but advances in the last decade have resulted in better treatments that improve the chance of a cure. At Penn Medicine, you have a full team of accomplished, experienced doctors and researchers by your side. Our specialists are deeply committed to delivering expert, personalized care that offers the most options for every patient.

About pancreatic cancer

The pancreas is a gland deep inside the abdomen that helps your body digest food and keeps blood sugar levels steady. Pancreatic cancer is a fast-growing cancer that occurs when normal cells in the pancreas mutate (change) and start to grow uncontrollably. There are currently no reliable screening tests for the disease.

Most pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that grows in mucus-secreting glands. Neuroendocrine tumors can also develop inside the pancreas. While all pancreatic tumors have similar traits, doctors treat them in very different ways.

Our doctors have a deep understanding of how to best diagnose and treat all types of pancreatic tumors.

Doctors classify pancreatic cancer into two main types:

• Exocrine cancers arise from exocrine gland cells inside the pancreas. These cells aid the digestion process. Exocrine cancers (mostly adenocarcinoma) make up most pancreatic cancers.
• Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) develop from islet cells within the pancreas. These islet cells make hormones to keep blood sugar levels steady. NETs make up less than 5 percent of all pancreatic cancers. Penn Medicine has a full team dedicated to specialized care for this rare tumor.

Pancreatic cancer almost never causes noticeable symptoms until a tumor is large or cancer spreads beyond the pancreas. Even then, people often experience subtle symptoms that may be easily dismissed.

For these reasons, doctors often detect pancreatic cancers in later stages, when the disease poses a greater threat. Reach out to your doctor if you notice one or more of these pancreatic cancer symptoms, especially if symptoms linger or get worse over weeks or longer:

• Feeling overly tired all the time (fatigue)
• Yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice)
• General disinterest in eating
• Nausea
• Pain in the upper belly and middle back
• Losing weight without trying
• A sudden, unexpected diabetes diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer causes

Medical experts don’t yet understand exactly what causes most pancreatic cancers. Researchers believe unhealthy lifestyle habits (such as smoking), older age and other risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer.

An estimated 1 in 20 cases of pancreatic cancer are hereditary. Hereditary cancers occur due to a gene mutation that families pass down in their DNA.

Penn Medicine’s pancreatic cancer specialists are highly regarded around the world for their expertise. Our multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists and other specialists understands the importance of personalized, compassionate treatment. We stay in close contact with you during your treatment and ensure you can reach us at any time through our easy-to-navigate patient portal, MyChart by myPennMedicine.

When you come to us, you can expect:

• Highly trained experts: Our tightly knit team of fellowship-trained specialists works to carefully review and analyze the details of every case. Multiple doctors provide evidence-based treatment recommendations that fit your life. Our close professional relationships allow us to adapt your treatment plan quickly if necessary.
• Exceptional surgical skill: Penn is an ultra-high-volume center for pancreatic cancer surgeries, including the Whipple procedure. Our surgeons perform more complex procedures to remove hard-to-treat pancreatic tumors than any other center in the region. This volume leads to an exceptional quality of care.
• Personalized treatments: At Penn’s Center for Personalized Diagnostics, pathologists and oncologists work together to find the most precise treatments based on a tumor’s DNA.
• Leading-edge research: Penn pioneered the world’s first approved CAR T-cell therapy that helps your body’s immune system fight cancer. At the Penn Pancreatic Research Center, scientists, surgeons, oncologists and other specialists work to improve pancreatic cancer detection and expand treatment options. Our efforts result in more options for patients with both early and advanced disease.
• Cancer genetics expertise: Some pancreatic cancers are caused by gene mutations (including BRCA1 and BRCA2) that run in families. We provide all newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients with point-of-care genetic testing. Our genetic counselors then help people assess their cancer risk and make informed treatment decisions.
• One-on-one support: Our nurse navigator is here to support you throughout treatment. He or she can schedule appointments and connect you with the right specialists quickly. Learn more about navigating GI cancer.
• The care you need, close to home: We make it easier for you to access our expertise. GI cancer specialists at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and satellite locations collaborate to get you the treatment you need, no matter where you live.