Read up on Pancreas cancer treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Pancreas cancer

Key points about treatments

Finding out that you or someone close to you has pancreas cancer is a big shock. It's a serious illness that affects your pancreas, a gland that lies behind your stomach.

The treatment you have depends on what part of your

pancreas
Your pancreas is an organ that's behind your stomach. It makes several different chemicals. Some of the chemicals help your body digest food. Your pancreas also makes a chemical called insulin, which helps your body use the sugar in your blood.

pancreas is affected, how large the cancer is, and whether it has spread. A lot will also depend on how you feel about your illness and how you would like it to be treated.

Key points about treating pancreas cancer

If your cancer is caught in its early stages, you may be able to have surgery to remove part of, or all of, your pancreas and organs nearby.
For people diagnosed with early pancreas cancer, surgery may help them live longer.
Your doctors may also advise you to have

chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals or drugs to treat or prevent disease, usually cancer.

chemotherapy or

radiation therapy
This treatment uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. It's most often used for tumors that are hard to treat with surgery alone. You won't feel any pain during this treatment, but you may get some side effects afterward.

radiation therapy after your operation to try to kill any cancer cells left behind. This may help you live longer than surgery on its own.
Chemotherapy can have unpleasant side effects. You need to decide with your doctor whether it's right for you.
If you have advanced cancer, treatments cannot cure you, but they can help to control your cancer and improve your symptoms.

This information was last updated on Apr 22, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.