Pancreatic Cancer

Our care team is nationally recognized for improving treatments and outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer.

Look to UC San Diego Health for your pancreatic care. Because pancreatic cancer is an aggressive type of cancer, it's important to choose your treatment team carefully. We see more patients with this cancer and perform more complex surgeries to treat it than any medical center in the region. We also offer prevention and screening services for those with a history of pancreatic cysts or a family history of pancreatic cancer.

Nationally Ranked Cancer Care

UC San Diego Health is ranked among the nation's best in cancer care, gastroenterology and endocrinology by U.S. News & World Report.

We are also the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Diego County. This is the highest possible rating for a U.S. cancer center, and it means you'll receive the best possible care and support. Studies show patient outcomes are better at NCI-designated cancer centers.

Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer

Your doctor may use imaging and endoscopy tests to look for pancreatic cancer. If the imaging shows something in your pancreas that looks like it might be cancer, your doctor may remove small pieces of the changed tissue. This is called a biopsy. At UC San Diego Health, your biopsy sample is analyzed by a pathologist with special training and expertise in gastrointestinal cancers. The pathologist's report and the imaging tests together are used to diagnose and stage cancer.

You may have one or more of the following types of imaging tests. 

Endoscopic Ultrasound

For an endoscopic ultrasound, a thin tube (called an endoscope) is put into your body while you are under sedation. A special miniaturized ultrasound at the end of the tube lets your doctor look at your organs and other tissues. The ultrasound can detect tiny growths and differentiate a tumor from a non-cancerous stone that might be blocking the bile duct. 

Computed Tomography (CT) Scans

During a CT scan, a series of detailed pictures are taken of the pancreas and nearby organs and vessels. You will receive an intravenous contrast injected into your vein. The contrasting agent helps radiologists see the extent of cancer and whether it has spread to nearby organs.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI may be performed instead of or along with a CT scan. We're a leader in MRI and have a 3T scanner for high-resolution imaging of all parts of the pancreas, including areas that are hard to see with a CT scan, such as pancreatic ducts and channels. As with a CT scan, you will receive an intravenous contrast injected into your vein.

Comprehensive, Personalized Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer

Receive a personalized treatment plan, and support through your entire cancer journey from diagnosis to treatment. Your care plan may include one or more of the following.

Surgery

UC San Diego Health is among a select group of medical centers nationally that can perform complex surgeries to remove pancreatic cancer. If at all possible, your oncologist will recommend surgery such as Whipple to remove the tumor. Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer

Infusion Therapy

For advanced pancreatic cancer, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy with the drug Gemcitabine and Erlotinib or a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy with Gemcitabine or 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). For widespread metastatic cancer, additional medications may be considered, too.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy may also be recommended before or after surgery, or if you are not a candidate for surgery. Treatment is personalized to your cancer in a multi-step process that includes consultation with a radiation oncologist, followed by a simulation visit to precisely outline the areas in your body that require treatment. Depending on the extent and location of your cancer, you may receive:

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)

Irreversible Electroporation

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new treatment for locally advanced pancreatic tumors that cannot be completely removed surgically due to the involvement of nearby blood vessels.

IRE is similar to thermal ablation therapies commonly used for liver tumors. However, since IRE does not involve heat, it is safe and effective near blood vessels. Surgery may be combined with IRE to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence in some patients.