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Overview
Know the basics
Your pancreas helps your body digest food and control blood sugar. If cells inside your pancreas change and grow out of control, you can develop pancreatic cancer.
There are different types of pancreatic cancer. Each type is based on which pancreatic cells are affected. Pancreatic cancer that forms in the cells lining the ducts of the pancreas is called pancreatic adenocarcinoma or pancreatic exocrine cancer. Pancreatic cancer that forms in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas is called pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.
Pancreatic cancer has few or no symptoms in its earliest stages. This makes pancreatic cancer difficult to detect when it’s most treatable.
When you are at high risk of pancreatic cancer either because of a genetic predisposition or familial pancreas cancer (pancreas cancer in two or more close relatives), it’s important to find early warning signs before they turn into cancer.
UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center
Patient Guide
To help you feel comfortable during your stay at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, we invite you to learn about our facility and the services we offer.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Recognizing pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer has no symptoms in its earliest stages. As the cancer progresses, symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Changes to urine and stool
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Diagnostic tests
If doctors suspect you have pancreatic cancer, they will perform several tests.
Blood tests
To check for specific proteins related to pancreatic cancer.
Biopsy
To remove a small tissue sample from your pancreas for evaluation in the lab.
Imaging tests
To view your pancreas and nearby organs.
Second opinions
If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it’s important to know all of your options. At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, we offer second opinions on pancreatic cancer diagnoses and treatment plans.
If you would like to seek a second opinion:
We work with oncologists across Wisconsin to analyze pancreatic tumors and recommend specific therapies. Learn more about our Precision Medicine Molecular Tumor Board
Treatments and research
Advanced treatment options
Treatment for pancreatic cancer varies based on the type of cancer you have and how far it has progressed. Treatment options include medication, radiation and surgery.
Medication
Medication treatments for pancreatic cancer include chemotherapy, which kills cancer cells. Immunotherapy is also used to treat pancreatic cancer. Immunotherapy works by activating your immune system to attack cancer cells. Most immunotherapies for pancreatic cancer are only available through clinical trials.
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells.
We also offer intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and MRI-guided radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer. Both treatments provide precise delivery of radiation. This helps preserve healthy tissue.
Surgery
During surgery for pancreatic cancer, all or part of the pancreas is removed. This is called a pancreatectomy. Doctors at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center also perform the complex Whipple procedure. During this procedure, surgeons remove tumors located in a specific part of the pancreas called the head. The Whipple procedure is also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Advancing knowledge of pancreatic cancer
Patients with cancer have access to more than 250 cancer clinical trials through the UW Carbone Cancer Center. For pancreatic cancer, we offer nearly 30 trials of new medications and therapies.
UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center
The experts at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center intimately understand every type of cancer. We will get to know you and design a treatment plan that works for you and your family.
Meet our team
A highly skilled team
Our pancreatic cancer team is part of the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, a Comprehensive Cancer Center as designated by the National Cancer Institute.
We’re also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium.
Our pancreatic cancer team includes:
Genetic counselors
Medical oncologists
Nutritionists
Palliative care professionals
Pathologists
Psychologists
Radiation oncologists
Social workers
Surgical oncologists
Nurse navigator
Surgical oncology
Medical oncology
Radiation oncology
Location
How to find us
Patient and support services
Find the support you need
You and your family might find it hard to cope with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, we offer many services and programs to support you and your family.
Our palliative care team can help you to manage the symptoms of your disease and side effects of treatment. Learn more about UW Health’s Palliative Care Program
Support groups
Sometimes patients look to the community for support as they deal with a cancer diagnosis. Find out more about support groups in the area.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Support Group (Gilda’s Club)
A support group for anyone affected by GI cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Meetings offer education and support.
When: Third Wednesday of the month
Where: Gilda’s Club, 7907 UW Health Ct, Middleton, WI 53562
Phone: (608) 828-8880
Pancreatic Cancer Task Force
The UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center formed a Pancreas Cancer Task Force comprised of patients, family, friends, community leaders and concerned supporters to raise awareness of pancreas cancer and funds for researching diagnosis and treatment options for the disease.
Online resources
Patient stories
Living life to the fullest
Jack Pankratz
One more day with Dad? How about 1,800?
After being told he would only have a few weeks to live, Jack and his family were able to spend several years together thanks to his good nature and the team at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center.