Overview
Pancreatic cancer is the tenth most common cancer in the United States. It is also the fourth deadliest. Approximately 37,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer annually.
Pancreatic cancer is a malignant disease that starts in the ductal cells of the pancreas. The disease occurs when cells in the pancreas grow, divide, and spread uncontrollably, forming a malignant tumor. In addition to cancerous tumors, there also are a variety of benign (noncancerous) tumors that can develop in the pancreas.
Pancreatic cancer is known to spread silently, so in most cases, symptoms do not present themselves until the disease is in an advanced stage. Unfortunately, by this point, treatment options are limited.
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Pancreatic Cancer Care?
Our pancreatic cancer program unites pancreatic surgeons, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists and psychologists, who together work to customize the best possible treatment for patients and give them improved quality of life.
This collaboration also means that patients get the care they need right away, rather than waiting for separate appointments with various specialists.
Cleveland Clinic is recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care.
What We Treat
- Acinar cell carcinoma.
- Adenocarcinoma.
- Adenosquamous carcinoma.
- Endocrine pancreatic cancer.
- Exocrine pancreatic cancer.
- Exocrine tumors.
- Giant cell carcinoma.
- Islet cell cancer.
- Neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer.
- Pancreatic cancer.
- Pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts.
- Pancreatitis.
- Squamous cell carcinoma.
Treatment options
Treatment is based on how far the cancer has spread and generally includes the following options:
Surgical treatment
- Minimally invasive surgery.
- Laparoscopic.
- Robotic.
- Pancreaticoduodenectomy.
- Distal pancreatectomy.
Medical treatment
Islet cell tumors
Different types of treatments are available for patients with islet cell tumors, or cancer that forms in the hormone-producing cells (islet cells) of the pancreas. Some treatments are standard and some are being tested in clinical trials.
For additional information
- Access our free pancreatic cancer treatment guide.
- Visit Health Essentials to find more content from our cancer specialists about pancreatic cancer treatment.
- Listen to the Butts & Guts podcast to learn more about pancreatic cancer symptoms and treatment.
- Search a database of all cancer education topics.
Support & Services
Patient Services
In addition to offering state of the art diagnostic techniques and lung cancer treatment methods, our specialists also offer an array of resources that can help patients cope with the demands of cancer. Patients are encouraged to take advantage of these resources to ease the burden of managing cancer.
Clinical Trials & Research
Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center clinical trials offer patients important treatment options and access to the latest treatments and procedures resulting from cancer research.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials (or research studies) help us create the medicine of tomorrow. They provide hope through offering testing of new drugs, new surgical techniques or other treatments before they are widely available.
We can help you access hundreds of clinical trials across all specialty areas. Our new searchable online trials tool makes identifying treatment opportunities easier than ever.
Medical Professionals
Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center is committed to working with you to provide the best care for your patients. Our team is also dedicated to the training and education of medical professionals to advance cancer care and research.
Make An Online Referral
To make a direct online referral to our Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, complete our Online Cancer Patient Referral Form or visit clevelandclinic.org/cancerpatientreferrals.
You will receive confirmation once the appointment is scheduled.
