Comprehensive care for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a complex, aggressive disease that often develops silently and is diagnosed at later stages due to its asymptomatic nature. At Endeavor Health, we bring together expert care teams, advanced diagnostics and innovative therapies to support you through every stage of diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Our multidisciplinary team includes pancreatic surgeons, gastroenterologists, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurse navigators, nutritionists, genetic counselors and social workers. Through tumor boards and collaborative planning, we ensure every care plan is personalized and precise.

Understanding pancreatic cancer

The pancreas is a small organ behind the stomach that aids in digestion and blood sugar regulation. Pancreatic cancer typically starts in the ducts of the pancreas and can spread quickly.

Risk factors include:

  • Smoking and tobacco use
  • Obesity and poor diet
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of pancreatic cancer or genetic mutations
  • Chronic pancreatitis
  • Excessive alcohol use
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Most pancreatic cancer symptoms appear in later stages. Signs to watch for include:

  • Upper abdominal pain or back pain
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
  • Digestive problems or new-onset diabetes

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if you have risk factors, talk to your doctor.

Pancreatic cancer treatment and therapies

Our surgeons are skilled in procedures such as “Whipple” surgery, distal pancreatectomy or total pancreatectomy. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques.

We administer chemotherapy before or after surgery, or as primary treatment for advanced disease.

We offer high-precision techniques, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), to help manage inoperable tumors.

Depending on your diagnosis, we offer advanced options guided by genetic testing and molecular profiling.

We offer a surgical treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer using non-thermal ablation technologies, such as Nanoknife (also known as irreversible electroporation), which deliver electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells in hard-to-reach areas where traditional surgery is not an option.

We offer palliative services to address discomfort and improve your quality of life throughout treatment.

We host specialized multidisciplinary tumor boards dedicated to complex GI, pancreatic, and hepatobiliary cancers. These forums bring together leading physicians from multiple specialties to collaborate on innovative treatment strategies and best practices for managing challenging cases.

Pancreatic cancer tests and screenings

There are very limited screening options for pancreatic cancer, but if you are at high risk, proactive monitoring may be beneficial. Individuals with a family history or a known genetic predisposition may face a higher risk, making genetic testing an important tool for early detection and risk assessment.

Common diagnostic tools include:

Identify tumors and guide treatment planning

Allows for detailed imaging and biopsy

Evaluate the bile and pancreatic ducts

Help detect abnormalities

Evaluates precancerous cysts with expert imaging review

MCED tests, such as the Galleri MCED test, offer an opportunity to help detect early-stage cancers through a simple blood draw. MCED may catch cancers that would otherwise go undetected until symptoms appear. This can be beneficial for early pancreatic cancer detection.

Why Endeavor Health?

At Endeavor Health, we bring together leading-edge therapies, expert teams and patient-centered support.

Our team performs over 300 complex pancreatic and liver surgeries each year with low complication rates.

We use high-resolution imaging and endoscopic tools, like EUS and ERCP, to confirm your diagnosis and plan your care with precision.

We manage one of the nation’s largest pancreatic cancer databases and offer access to clinical trials and emerging therapies.

Nurse navigation, genetic counseling, integrative medicine, nutrition and financial advocacy are built into every care plan.

Care team

Our pancreatic cancer team includes surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, geneticists, nurse navigators, social workers and nutrition experts.

We work together through multidisciplinary tumor boards to ensure coordinated, precise care.

Find a doctor

Group of 5 physicians

Pancreatic cancer FAQs

Pain, weight loss, jaundice and digestive symptoms are common signs.

Early-stage cancer may be treated successfully with surgery. Advanced disease can be managed with systemic therapy.

Laparoscopic surgery, robotic-assisted procedures and endoscopic techniques may be used depending on your case.

Yes. Our Pancreatic Research Program supports trial access for eligible patients.

We offer integrative medicine, nutrition counseling, social work, financial support and long-term survivorship services.

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Our team is here to guide you through diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Schedule a consultation with a pancreatic cancer specialist today.

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Your care journey is our mission

The Endeavor Health Cancer Institute is committed to advancing pancreatic cancer care through innovation, collaboration and personalized treatment — close to home.

About the institute