Spotlight On: Pancreatic Cancer

As one of the most rapidly spreading diseases, pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose because patients usually don’t display symptoms until the cancer has progressed and spread to other parts of the body.

Common early symptoms include loss of appetite, mild weight loss and mild discomfort in the upper abdomen or occasionally in the middle-back. Because these symptoms can be attributed to any number of conditions, early signs are often ignored or missed.

Treatment for pancreatic cancer can be a curative or palliative approach involving surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery or a combination. Due to side effects and complications associated with surgery for pancreatic cancer patients, stereotactic radiosurgery can be a safe, noninvasive option.

New Jersey CyberKnife treats pancreatic tumors with stereotactic radiosurgery using CyberKnife® technology. During treatment, high doses of radiation are delivered to the tumor with sub-millimeter accuracy.Ê

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network works to advance research on prostate cancer and support patients and families. To learn more about their New Jersey chapter, click here.

It is never too soon to ask your doctor about pancreatic cancer. Learn more from the American Cancer Society’s website.

This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.