At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, we understand that a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone.
Your care plan is designed around your needs and backed by leading cancer experts. From surgery and chemotherapy to emotional and nutritional support, our team offers care tailored to your type and stage of cancer and your goals.
Your pancreatic cancer treatment options are based on many factors, including:
Our team of pancreatic cancer specialists, including surgical, medical and radiation oncologists, works together to create a personalized plan that may include:
Treatment may also include clinical trials that offer promising new options.
Surgery often gives you the best chance for a cure if the cancer hasn’t spread too far. Your surgeon will figure out which procedure is right for you, depending on where the cancer is located:
Sometimes, surgeons can use minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques for pancreatic cancer surgeries. These can help you recover faster with less pain.
Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to kill cancer cells. It may be used:
Common chemo drugs for pancreatic cancer include:
Side effects vary, but our team helps manage them so you stay as strong as you can during treatment.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It may be used:
We use external beam radiation and advanced techniques that target the tumor while protecting nearby healthy tissue.
You may benefit from targeted treatments or immunotherapy, especially if genetic testing shows that you have certain mutations.
These options are most often used for people who have inherited mutations or advanced cancer.
Pancreatic cancer and its treatments can make it harder to eat, digest food or maintain a healthy weight. Nutrition for pancreatic cancer patients is important.
Our oncology dietitians help you:
A healthy approach to nutrition can improve your energy and help your body recover.
A cancer diagnosis affects more than just your physical health. We offer pancreatic cancer support services for the emotional and mental challenges you may face.
You can access emotional support for cancer patients such as:
Palliative care for pancreatic cancer focuses on improving your quality of life at any cancer stage. It’s not just for end-of-life care. It’s an important part of your treatment.
Our team can help you manage symptoms of cancer such as:
Supportive therapies can help you feel better and stay independent throughout your treatment.
Even after treatment ends, we’re here for you.
There may come a time when treatments are no longer slowing the cancer or improving your quality of life. This is called terminal pancreatic cancer. If this happens, your care team will talk with you about shifting focus from trying to cure the disease to keeping you comfortable and supporting your well-being.
You’ll never be left to figure out end-of-life care for pancreatic cancer by yourself. With open conversations about your goals and next steps, we’ll help you understand your options and support you in making the decisions that feel right for you.
Hospice care is a type of support for people with advanced cancer who are nearing the end of life. It doesn’t mean giving up. It means focusing on comfort, dignity and spending time with the people you love.
You may want to consider hospice when treatments stop working or the side effects are outweighing the benefits.
Hospice care for pancreatic cancer may include:
If hospice becomes the right option, we’ll help you make a smooth, respectful transition with full support from our team.
Our multidisciplinary team of pancreatic cancer specialists includes:
From diagnosis through recovery, you’ll have a team focused on whole-person care, so you never feel like a number.
Explore more about pancreatic cancer and how we can help:
Ready to talk with a specialist? Request an appointment with our pancreatic cancer care team today.
Sign in to Patient Account
