Pancreatic Cancer

Early pancreatic cancer does not usually cause symptoms, but make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Dark urine
• Pale stools
• Stool that floats in the toilet
• Pain in the upper part of the belly or middle of your back that does not go away when you change your position
• Poor appetite, indigestion and nausea
• Weakness and fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Pancreatic cancer is more common in men than women and is more frequently diagnosed in people ages 65-74.

People with certain risk factors may be more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, including:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Family history of pancreatic cancer
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Genetic syndromes
• Inflammation of the pancreas

People at highest risk have one or more of the following:

• Two or more blood relatives with pancreatic cancer
• Hereditary cancer syndromes (Peutz-Jeghers, Lynch Syndrome/HNPCC, MEN1 or von Hippel Lindau)
• A known mutation in the BRCA2, PALB2, ATM or p16/CDKN2A gene
• Hereditary pancreatitis

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect at early stages. Although a single test does not exist for screening, your doctor may recommend the following if you have certain risk factors or are showing signs and symptoms.

• Blood test to measure the level of CA-19-9 proteins, a protein released by pancreatic cancer cells
• Imaging tests such as endoscopic ultrasound and MRI
• Genetic consultation and testing
• Periodic evaluation

Treatment methods will vary depending on the cancer type and stage. Standard treatment options include:

• Surgery. Removes a tumor from the pancreas or the entire pancreas and other tissues, lymph nodes or other affected organs.
• Radiation therapy. Targets and eliminates cancer cells with high-energy radiation.
• Medical therapy. Different types of drugs, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.