PANCREATIC CANCER The pancreas is a gland deep within the body that produces insulin, hormones, and enzymes that help the body to digest its food and regulate sugar. The pancreas is located the middle of the abdomen and is surrounded by several organs including the liver and the stomach. Symptoms: In the beginning stages, pancreatic cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms.

As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

• pain in the upper abdomen or back
• nausea and vomitting
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• jaundice (yellow) skin and sclera of the eyes
• weakness

Treatment:

Pancreatic cancer is very difficult to cure unless diagnosed at a very early stage. In all cases, surgery is the most desirable course of treatment, however, generally only about 5-10% of pancreatic cancer patients are eligible for curative intent surgery. In addition, surgery is almost always used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiation therapy either pre or post-op.

In the remaining population of patients, treatment is generally focused on palliative care using chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and sometimes surgery to prevent and control symptoms, and to prolong and enhance the quality of life rather than to cure.

Nearly all pancreatic cancer patients require the multidisciplinary treatment from a team of cancer specialists such as that provided by the Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Oncology Center. Because of the difficulty in treating this disease, our patients are often encouraged to participate in one of UAB's clinical trials to help in the fight against pancreatic cancer.