Daniel E. Abbott, MD, FACS

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 have an experienced team behind you to find early warning signs before they turn into cancer. The Pancreatic Cancer Prevention team provides expertise unmatched in the United States. Combined with robust, ongoing research, the program looks for markers that could develop into pancreas cancer. Using specialized imaging techniques, our team identifies and tracks the progress of pancreas cancer precursors, including pancreatic changes in patients with high-risk hereditary conditions for pancreas cancer, and mucin producing cysts that can develop into cancer and require regular monitoring. Early identification of key changes allows for intervention before cancer develops, much like a colonoscopy identifies intestinal polyps before they turn into colon cancer.

Our Pancreas Mass Clinic is for people with all types of tumors in their pancreas: adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors or metastatic tumors (tumors that have spread from other parts of the body). We also see patients with tumors that are not in the pancreas, such as ampullary or duodenal cancers that require the same therapy as pancreas masses in the head of the pancreas. Our team of specialists are trained in the most advanced methods of treating these types of cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, minimizing complications and side effects.