Pancreatic Cancer

If you have pancreatic cancer, turn to an experienced program, like the one here at Trinity Health Michigan, for exceptional care. We offer treatments and expertise that are not widely available. Our team is here for you with sophisticated therapies and compassionate support. Our services help patients enjoy more time with loved ones.

What Is Cancer of the Pancreas?

Your pancreas helps you digest food and lies deep within your intestines. For early-stage cancer, surgery using the Whipple procedure may be an option. This complex procedure involves removing part of the pancreas and nearby organs, then reconstructing affected areas of your digestive tract.

For advanced cancers, surgery is often not possible because growths are too close to vital nerves and blood vessels. But chemotherapy or radiation oncology may slow the rate at which the cancer grows.

Most people do not show signs of pancreatic cancer until it becomes large enough to affect the stomach or liver. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include weight loss or severe abdominal pain.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment at Trinity Health Michigan: Why Choose Us?

Our doctors give hope to people with cancer of the pancreas. We regularly care for patients who have been told the cancer is too advanced for surgery. Our experts consider all available options. And our team is with you throughout treatment with the support you need.

Highlights of our program include:

• Highly-trained surgeons: Our team includes surgeons who perform a high volume of pancreatic cancer procedures. This level of experience allows us to safely operate on complex cases. Some patients are able to have minimally invasive procedures, which use smaller incisions and have shorter recovery times.
   
• Additional specialists: Other doctors (interventional radiologists) help to keep you comfortable and get the most out of treatments. Interventional radiologists perform nonsurgical procedures to open up blockages and drain excess fluid. These services are not widely available for pancreatic cancer.
   
• Nurse navigators: These specialists have years of experience guiding patients through their cancer care journey. We are here for you with a caring ear and encouragement when you need it. Nurse navigators also make it easier to receive the services you need by coordinating appointments.
   
• Financial navigators: If you are worried about paying for your care, Trinity Health Michigan can help. Our team includes financial navigators who provide personalized recommendations that help make care more affordable.

Surgery and Interventional Radiology Procedures for Cancer of the Pancreas

If you are eligible for surgery, your care may include:

• Minimally invasive surgery: This option is for noncancerous growths and cancers toward the outer portion of the pancreas. We remove the growths laparoscopically using small incisions, a camera and sophisticated instruments. Smaller incisions lead to less blood loss and a lower risk of complications.
   
• Traditional open surgery: We use a traditional approach and larger incisions to safely remove cancers in difficult-to-reach areas. Our experience includes a high volume of Whipple procedures. This technique allows us to remove the cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Our interventional radiologists perform procedures to address issues that may occur after pancreatic cancer surgery, which may include:

• Abscesses, which are abnormal connections between organs
• Bleeding
• Blockages in the tubes (glands) that send chemical messengers to your digestive system
• Fluid buildup

Other Pancreatic Cancer Treatments

If you cannot have surgery, other treatments can help shrink the tumor. You may also receive these treatments after surgery to prevent the cancer from spreading.

Our offerings include:

• Chemotherapy: You may receive medications if the cancer has spread to other areas, including your lungs or stomach. We use the latest techniques, including new combinations of existing drugs. Find out more about our chemotherapy and medical oncology services.
   
• Radiation therapy: This option uses powerful beams of energy to break up cancer cells. We also offer high-dose radiation therapy using CyberKnife^® for people who cannot have surgery. Get more information about radiation therapy.
   
• Supportive services: We offer a range of therapies and services to help keep you as comfortable as possible during and after treatment. You may receive specialized pain management therapies, including injections. Learn more about supportive care and services.

Our Cancer Financial Navigators Are Here for You

Issues that can get in the way of your treatment matter to us. If you have concerns about medical bills, we connect you with a cancer financial navigator. These specialists help people with and without insurance. We explain all of your options, which may include a Medicare supplement or financial aid from Trinity Health Michigan.