Pancreatic Cancer

The direct cause of pancreatic cancer is not well understood, but there are risk factors that can increase someone’s likelihood of developing the disease. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:

Smoking
People who smoke are twice as likely to get pancreatic cancer as those who never smoked.  

Being overweight
Obesity or being overweight is associated with persistent inflammation, insulin resistance, and changes in hormone levels that can promote cancer growth.  

Diabetes
High blood sugar levels and inflammation from diabetes can put extra stress on the pancreas, sometimes leading to changes that may turn into cancer.  

Chronic pancreatitis 
Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation of the pancreas. It is often caused by drinking too much for long periods of time and smoking.  

Exposure to certain chemicals
Harmful chemicals, found in dry cleaning, roading paving, and metal working jobs, can increase someone’s risk of pancreatic cancer.  

Familial pancreatic cancer 
Approximately 10% of pancreatic cancer runs in families. It is recommended that all patients with pancreas cancer be screened for family cancer syndromes, as it will help guide screening of affected family members but can also be used to help identify precision medicines for treatment. 

Pancreatic Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer screening  

While there is no routine screening for pancreatic cancer, there are newer tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer for those at high risk. The two tests are:

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a test that provides detailed images of the pancreas and surrounding organs, allowing doctors to find tumors and determine if the cancer has spread. It is the safest way to biopsy any suspicious areas in the pancreas to determine if they are cancerous or precancerous.

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) creates images of the bile and pancreatic ducts and is used to determine whether there are cysts and blockages in the ducts. 

Pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Finding out you have pancreatic cancer can be difficult to process. It is normal to feel many different emotions and have questions. Our team is here to help you understand your diagnosis and navigate the road ahead.  

Your doctor may employ several tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer, determine its stages, and examine overall growth. These tests may include:  

Imaging tests 

Tests such as X-rays, CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) are used to help determine the stage of cancer and whether the cancer has spread. 

Computed tomography (CT) scan 

A CT scan provides detailed images of the pancreas and the surrounding structures. It can identify tumors, determine the size and location, and assess whether the cancer has spread to neighboring organs or lymph nodes. It is the best test to evaluate if pancreas cancer is impacting nearby blood vessels. 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 

MRI uses magnetic energy to visualize organs and tumors of the body. It can be very effective in identifying tumors in the pancreas and liver or areas where the pancreatic ducts or bile ducts are abnormal. 

Positron emission tomography (PET) 

This advanced test uses a small amount of a safe, radioactive substance to look for cancer by identifying areas where cells are growing or changing rapidly. Cancer cells use more energy than most normal cells, so they show up as bright spots on the scan.  

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) 

Pancreas cancers may block ducts draining both the pancreas and the bile ducts coming from the liver. An ERCP is a test where doctors use a thin, bendy tube with a camera to look inside your body through your mouth and down into your stomach. An ERCP can temporarily relieve the blockage of the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts and look for cancer cells growing in those ducts.  

Endosonography 

Using sound waves, endosonography creates detailed images of the pancreas and surrounding tissue. It may also be used to determine the size of the cancer and whether the surrounding lymph nodes may be enlarged. It has limited use in pancreatic cancer outside of endoscopic ultrasound. 

Upper endoscopy 

An upper endoscopy is a procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera, called an endoscope, inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). While not typically used to detect pancreatic cancer, it can help assess whether the cancer has spread to nearby structures like the stomach or duodenum. In cases where pancreatic cancer invades these areas, the endoscope allows doctors to visualize, photograph, and biopsy abnormal tissue for further analysis.  

Laparoscopy 

This procedure, called a staging laparoscopy, involves making small incisions in the abdomen and inserting a laparoscope — a thin, lighted tube with a camera — to examine the abdominal cavity. It helps doctors detect whether pancreatic cancer has spread to areas that may not be visible on imaging tests, such as the liver or peritoneum. The procedure also allows for biopsy of suspicious areas, helping confirm the presence of new tumors and guide treatment decisions.  

Stages of Pancreatic Cancer

Stage I
Cancer is confined to the pancreas.

Stage II
Cancer may extend to the duodenum, bile ducts, or fat surrounding the pancreas, or invades a few of the nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III
Cancer invades multiple nearby lymph nodes and has extended to major blood vessels.

Stage IV
Cancer has spread outside the pancreas to other organs, the lining of the inside of the abdomen, or to lymph nodes far from the pancreas. Typical sites include the liver, lung, lymph nodes, and abdominal lining (peritoneum).  

Recurrent/Replapsed
Pancreatic cancer has been detected or has returned (recurred/relapsed) following an initial treatment.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment at Texas Oncology  

Our pancreatic cancer specialists follow ground-breaking research and the latest treatment guidelines to deliver comprehensive and personalized cancer care. They will review your case and help you plan while keeping your priorities and preferences top of mind.  

Pancreatic cancer may be treated with surgery, precision cancer medicines, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Here are some pancreatic cancer treatments we offer: 

Surgery 

Surgery involves removal of the pancreas tumor or bypassing blockages caused by it. Surgery offers the only chance of cure, but in pancreas cancer, surgical removal of the pancreas cancer can only be offered in early stage disease and in combination with chemotherapy. 

Radiation therapy 

This treatment option uses high-energy rays to damage or kill cancer cells by preventing them from growing or dividing. Radiation is a regional treatment utilized to target the pancreas tumor and tissues immediately around it. It can be used to help with symptoms from the main tumor or to help surgery or systemic therapy be more effective.  

Systemic therapy 

Patients with pancreas cancer often have more cancer than can be detected with imaging or more cancer than can be effectively removed with surgery. That is where systemic therapy comes in. Systemic therapies are treatments that are directed at destroying cancer cells throughout the body. Common systemic therapies include:  

Precision cancer medicines  

Looks for abnormalities in a patient’s DNA sequence. Once it is identified, a targeted therapy can be designed to attack the specific mutation that is causing the cancer. Targeted therapy utilizes specially designed medications that disrupt specific growth pathways in cancers. 

Chemotherapy 

Uses medications to kill cancer cells. It can be taken orally as a pill or injected into the vein. It is currently the most effective systemic treatment for pancreas cancer. 

Immunotherapy  

Utilizes drugs, vaccines, and other therapies to activate the body’s natural defenders to fight pancreatic cancer. 

Gastroenterologists are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing digestive issues. They are equipped to diagnose and manage the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.  

Radiation oncologists use targeted radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. After surgery, a radiation oncologist may deliver targeted radiation to lymph nodes where cancer cells may have spread.

Leading expertise
Our specialists trained at leading institutions across the country. They bring their extensive knowledge and skills of treating each case.

Experts close to home
We make it as easy as possible to access the care you need. With locations across the state, you are likely to find a provider near where you live and work.

Latest treatment options
Our providers always have a finger-on-the-pulse on the latest research studies and national guidelines. We also offer treatments through clinical trials.  

Care tailored to you
We are equal partners in your care and provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for you.  

Expert Pancreatic Cancer Care, Close to Home

The pancreas plays a key role in digestion and produces special proteins that help regulate blood sugar levels. When the pancreas develops cancer, these functions are disrupted, leading to digestive issues, imbalanced blood sugar, and weight loss. In Texas, roughly 4,760 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed each year.  

Receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be filled with many emotions. No matter how you are feeling, at Texas Oncology, we are here to help you navigate your next steps. Our clinicians diagnose cancer, deliver high-quality care, and develop a care plan tailored to your needs.  

Pancreatic Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer screening  

While there is no routine screening for pancreatic cancer, there are newer tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer for those at high risk. The two tests are:

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a test that provides detailed images of the pancreas and surrounding organs, allowing doctors to find tumors and determine if the cancer has spread. It is the safest way to biopsy any suspicious areas in the pancreas to determine if they are cancerous or precancerous.

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) creates images of the bile and pancreatic ducts and is used to determine whether there are cysts and blockages in the ducts. 

Pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Finding out you have pancreatic cancer can be difficult to process. It is normal to feel many different emotions and have questions. Our team is here to help you understand your diagnosis and navigate the road ahead.  

Your doctor may employ several tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer, determine its stages, and examine overall growth. These tests may include:  

Imaging tests 

Tests such as X-rays, CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) are used to help determine the stage of cancer and whether the cancer has spread. 

Computed tomography (CT) scan 

A CT scan provides detailed images of the pancreas and the surrounding structures. It can identify tumors, determine the size and location, and assess whether the cancer has spread to neighboring organs or lymph nodes. It is the best test to evaluate if pancreas cancer is impacting nearby blood vessels. 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 

MRI uses magnetic energy to visualize organs and tumors of the body. It can be very effective in identifying tumors in the pancreas and liver or areas where the pancreatic ducts or bile ducts are abnormal. 

Positron emission tomography (PET) 

This advanced test uses a small amount of a safe, radioactive substance to look for cancer by identifying areas where cells are growing or changing rapidly. Cancer cells use more energy than most normal cells, so they show up as bright spots on the scan.  

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) 

Pancreas cancers may block ducts draining both the pancreas and the bile ducts coming from the liver. An ERCP is a test where doctors use a thin, bendy tube with a camera to look inside your body through your mouth and down into your stomach. An ERCP can temporarily relieve the blockage of the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts and look for cancer cells growing in those ducts.  

Endosonography 

Using sound waves, endosonography creates detailed images of the pancreas and surrounding tissue. It may also be used to determine the size of the cancer and whether the surrounding lymph nodes may be enlarged. It has limited use in pancreatic cancer outside of endoscopic ultrasound. 

Upper endoscopy 

An upper endoscopy is a procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera, called an endoscope, inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). While not typically used to detect pancreatic cancer, it can help assess whether the cancer has spread to nearby structures like the stomach or duodenum. In cases where pancreatic cancer invades these areas, the endoscope allows doctors to visualize, photograph, and biopsy abnormal tissue for further analysis.  

Laparoscopy 

This procedure, called a staging laparoscopy, involves making small incisions in the abdomen and inserting a laparoscope — a thin, lighted tube with a camera — to examine the abdominal cavity. It helps doctors detect whether pancreatic cancer has spread to areas that may not be visible on imaging tests, such as the liver or peritoneum. The procedure also allows for biopsy of suspicious areas, helping confirm the presence of new tumors and guide treatment decisions.  

Stages of Pancreatic Cancer

Stage I
Cancer is confined to the pancreas.

Stage II
Cancer may extend to the duodenum, bile ducts, or fat surrounding the pancreas, or invades a few of the nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III
Cancer invades multiple nearby lymph nodes and has extended to major blood vessels.

Stage IV
Cancer has spread outside the pancreas to other organs, the lining of the inside of the abdomen, or to lymph nodes far from the pancreas. Typical sites include the liver, lung, lymph nodes, and abdominal lining (peritoneum).  

Recurrent/Replapsed
Pancreatic cancer has been detected or has returned (recurred/relapsed) following an initial treatment.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment at Texas Oncology  

Our pancreatic cancer specialists follow ground-breaking research and the latest treatment guidelines to deliver comprehensive and personalized cancer care. They will review your case and help you plan while keeping your priorities and preferences top of mind.  

Pancreatic cancer may be treated with surgery, precision cancer medicines, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Here are some pancreatic cancer treatments we offer: 

Surgery 

Surgery involves removal of the pancreas tumor or bypassing blockages caused by it. Surgery offers the only chance of cure, but in pancreas cancer, surgical removal of the pancreas cancer can only be offered in early stage disease and in combination with chemotherapy. 

Radiation therapy 

This treatment option uses high-energy rays to damage or kill cancer cells by preventing them from growing or dividing. Radiation is a regional treatment utilized to target the pancreas tumor and tissues immediately around it. It can be used to help with symptoms from the main tumor or to help surgery or systemic therapy be more effective.  

Systemic therapy 

Patients with pancreas cancer often have more cancer than can be detected with imaging or more cancer than can be effectively removed with surgery. That is where systemic therapy comes in. Systemic therapies are treatments that are directed at destroying cancer cells throughout the body. Common systemic therapies include:  

Precision cancer medicines  

Looks for abnormalities in a patient’s DNA sequence. Once it is identified, a targeted therapy can be designed to attack the specific mutation that is causing the cancer. Targeted therapy utilizes specially designed medications that disrupt specific growth pathways in cancers. 

Chemotherapy 

Uses medications to kill cancer cells. It can be taken orally as a pill or injected into the vein. It is currently the most effective systemic treatment for pancreas cancer. 

Immunotherapy  

Utilizes drugs, vaccines, and other therapies to activate the body’s natural defenders to fight pancreatic cancer. 

Gastroenterologists are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing digestive issues. They are equipped to diagnose and manage the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.  

Radiation oncologists use targeted radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. After surgery, a radiation oncologist may deliver targeted radiation to lymph nodes where cancer cells may have spread.

Leading expertise
Our specialists trained at leading institutions across the country. They bring their extensive knowledge and skills of treating each case.

Experts close to home
We make it as easy as possible to access the care you need. With locations across the state, you are likely to find a provider near where you live and work.

Latest treatment options
Our providers always have a finger-on-the-pulse on the latest research studies and national guidelines. We also offer treatments through clinical trials.  

Care tailored to you
We are equal partners in your care and provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for you.