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Pancreatic Cancer

About the condition

The pancreas is a large gland located in your upper abdomen, just below your ribs, and is a vital part of the digestive system. Pancreatic cancer occurs the genetic material of cells in the pancreas become damaged or changed, producing mutations that affect normal cell growth and division. The abnormal cells then replicate, causing cancer. If undetected, the cancer can spread beyond the pancreas and move to other parts of the body.

Around 8,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year, making it the 11th most common cancerCancer of the pancreas is more common in older people, with about half of all new cases diagnosed in people who are aged 75 or over. It affects both men and women equally.

The precise causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown, but several risk factors have been identified. Read more about the risk factors here.

Symptoms

Pancreatic cancers shows symptoms that include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Sudden or unexplained weight loss
  • Jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

If any of these symptoms apply to you, or if you have any concerns about similar symptoms, it is essential that you see your doctor at once, as your chances of recovery are much higher if your cancer is diagnosed early. Alternatively you can book an appointment with one of our specialists by completing this form online or by calling 020 8247 3351.

Diagnosis

If you are referred to CCL for diagnosis, your consultant or oncologist will send you for a variety of tests and examinations. These include:

  • A Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan, a procedure that uses radio waves and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body
  • An Ultrasound scan, which uses high frequency sound waves to look inside the body and produce live images on a computer display.
  • A Computerised Tomography scan, which shows a 3D image of the area being looked at
  • Blood tests
  • Urine tests

Treatment

At CCL, patients with pancreatic cancer are treated by a specialist multidisciplinary team. This team works together to create a treatment plan to suit the individual needs of the patient. The treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on how much the cancer has spread, and your general fitness. Treatment could include:

  • Surgery, where the affected area is removed
  • Radiotherapy, where high-energy rays are used to destroy the cancer cells
  • Chemotherapy, where chemical agents destroy the cancer cells preventing them from spreading to different areas.
  • Biotherapy, which is the use of newer and more targeted therapies to assist the body in fighting the disease.

Support Services

At CCL we provide support that caters to both the physical and emotional needs of the patient, before, during and after treatment.

We offer a wide range of services for patients, as well as their loved ones, designed to make a very difficult time as easy as possible, and to give our patients the best treatment and support possible. Our support services include counselling, group sessions and much more. You can find the full range of our support services here. We’ll be with you every step of the way.

Book now

If you have any questions about cancer or would like to book an appointment with one of our specialists, complete this form online or call 020 8247 3351.

Key:

Cancer Centre London

Parkside Hospital