Your pancreas helps your body digest food and control blood sugar. If cells inside your pancreas change and grow out of control, you can develop pancreatic cancer.
There are different types of pancreatic cancer. Each type is based on which pancreatic cells are affected. Pancreatic cancer that forms in the cells lining the ducts of the pancreas is called pancreatic adenocarcinoma or pancreatic exocrine cancer. Pancreatic cancer that forms in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas is called pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.
Pancreatic cancer has few or no symptoms in its earliest stages. This makes pancreatic cancer difficult to detect when it’s most treatable.
When you are at high risk of pancreatic cancer either because of a genetic predisposition or familial pancreas cancer (pancreas cancer in two or more close relatives), it’s important to find early warning signs before they turn into cancer.
Pancreatic cancer has no symptoms in its earliest stages. As the cancer progresses, symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Changes to urine and stool
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Blood tests
To check for specific proteins related to pancreatic cancer.
Biopsy
To remove a small tissue sample from your pancreas for evaluation in the lab.
Imaging tests
To view your pancreas and nearby organs.
Second opinions
If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it’s important to know all of your options. At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, we offer second opinions on pancreatic cancer diagnoses and treatment plans.
If you would like to seek a second opinion:
We work with oncologists across Wisconsin to analyze pancreatic tumors and recommend specific therapies. Learn more about our Precision Medicine Molecular Tumor Board
Medication
Medication treatments for pancreatic cancer include chemotherapy, which kills cancer cells. Immunotherapy is also used to treat pancreatic cancer. Immunotherapy works by activating your immune system to attack cancer cells. Most immunotherapies for pancreatic cancer are only available through clinical trials.
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells.
We also offer intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and MRI-guided radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer. Both treatments provide precise delivery of radiation. This helps preserve healthy tissue.
Surgery
During surgery for pancreatic cancer, all or part of the pancreas is removed. This is called a pancreatectomy. Doctors at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center also perform the complex Whipple procedure. During this procedure, surgeons remove tumors located in a specific part of the pancreas called the head. The Whipple procedure is also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Advancing knowledge of pancreatic cancer
Patients with cancer have access to more than 250 cancer clinical trials through the UW Carbone Cancer Center. For pancreatic cancer, we offer nearly 30 trials of new medications and therapies.
UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center
The experts at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center intimately understand every type of cancer. We will get to know you and design a treatment plan that works for you and your family.
Our pancreatic cancer team is part of the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, a Comprehensive Cancer Center as designated by the National Cancer Institute.
We’re also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium.
Our pancreatic cancer team includes:
Genetic counselors
Medical oncologists
Nutritionists
Palliative care professionals
Pathologists
Psychologists
Radiation oncologists
Social workers
Surgical oncologists
Nurse navigator
Daniel Abbott, MD, FACS
Surgical OncologyMichael Bassetti, MD, PhD
Radiation OncologyBenjamin Durkee, MD, PhD
Radiation OncologyMichael Eastman, MD
Medical OncologyRobert Hegeman, MD
HematologyMerat Karbasian-Esfahani, MD
Medical Oncology
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UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center
600 Highland Ave /Madison, WI 
(608) 915-0100
E Terrace Dr Medical Center Radiology Department
- 5249 E Terrace Dr /
Madison, WI - (608) 265-1260
UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center Rockford
- 3535 N Bell School Rd /
Rockford, IL - (779) 696-9400
UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek
- 250 Doctors Ct /
Johnson Creek, WI - (920) 699-3500
UW Health Cancer Center at ProHealth Care
- N16 W24131 Riverwood Dr /
Waukesha, WI
You and your family might find it hard to cope with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, we offer many services and programs to support you and your family.
Our palliative care team can help you to manage the symptoms of your disease and side effects of treatment. Learn more about UW Health’s Palliative Care Program
Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Support Group (Gilda’s Club)
A support group for anyone affected by GI cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Meetings offer education and support.
When: Third Wednesday of the month
Where: Gilda’s Club, 7907 UW Health Ct, Middleton, WI 53562
Phone: (608) 828-8880