Pancreatic cancer occurs in the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach that releases digestive enzymes and produces hormones that regulate blood glucose levels. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common pancreatic cancer, and it forms in the cells of the ducts that send the digestive enzymes into the small intestine.
GI cancer experts at the Surgeons Group of Baton Rouge collaborate with other hepatobiliary specialists at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute to deliver the latest surgical treatment options for pancreatic cancer. Get in touch with our team to learn more about our services.
Risk factors of pancreatic cancer include:
Pancreatic cancer often does not present symptoms until the later stages, when it’s more difficult to treat. These symptoms include:
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute is home to a high-risk pancreatic cancer screening program, which helps physicians detect pancreatic cancer in its earliest and most treatable stage. Our team uses a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures to detect pancreatic cancer, including:
How is pancreatic cancer treated?
Treatment options depend on the location and stage of your cancer. Our team offers the following therapies:
On average, pancreatic cancer has a 5-year survival rate of about 5%. However, surgery to remove pancreatic cancer can help. Here are the 5-year year survival rates associated with the following procedures:
The most effective treatment for each case depends on the location and stage of the cancer. For example, a person whose cancer is confined to the head of the pancreas may benefit most from the Whipple procedure and chemotherapy, while someone whose cancer has spread throughout the body may benefit most from a combination of chemotherapy and palliative surgery. If you have pancreatic cancer, your surgical oncologist can help you understand your options.
On average, patients who undergo pancreatic surgery can expect a hospital stay of 3-10 days after the procedure. In general, it takes about two months to recover, regain energy, and experience a more typical appetite.
People whose pancreatic cancer is only located in the head of the pancreas and adjacent structures are eligible for the Whipple procedure. Unfortunately, this surgery isn’t a viable option for people whose cancer has spread to lower portions of the pancreas or metastasized to other structures and organs in the body.
Because pancreatic cancer doesn’t tend to have many symptoms, it typically isn’t diagnosed until it reaches later stages. This means that only about 15%-20% of people with pancreatic cancer are good candidates for this procedure. However, Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute is home to a high-risk pancreatic cancer screening program, which helps physicians detect pancreatic cancer in its earliest and most treatable stage.
Because the Whipple procedure affects the path through which digesting food travels, patients may experience gastroparesis, delayed gastric emptying, or dumping syndrome, which can result in symptoms such as:
Additionally, the pancreas produces digestive enzymes and insulin. Since the Whipple procedure involves removing a portion of the pancreas, the body may not be able to make adequate amounts of these essential products. Patients may need to take a digestive supplement with each meal and, in much rarer cases, experience temporary or permanent diabetes.
