Why choose Geisinger for pancreatic cancer care?
Whether you need minimally invasive or robotic surgery, incision-free CyberKnife® radiosurgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, we can help — right here in Pennsylvania. We also offer a second opinion clinic dedicated to helping you explore all available treatments.
From your first consultation through recovery and into survivorship, our team will handle the details and provide the expertise that guides your care so you can focus on living your healthiest life.
Your care team will work with you to determine the right treatment for your unique needs. For example, your treatment may involve our MyCode® Community Health Initiative, which identifies inherited risks. You’ll also have access to CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery, a non-invasive treatment for tumors that are hard to reach or inoperable.
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FAQs
What are some common symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is often referred to as a “silent” disease because its signs and symptoms can go unnoticed early on. Common symptoms that can appear in its more advanced stages can include:
- Feeling bloated or full
- Dark urine or light-colored stool
- Jaundice or yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Middle back or stomach pain
- Fatigue
- Sudden weight loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have cancer. But be sure to talk with your doctor to understand what may be causing them.
How do you diagnose pancreatic cancer?
It can be difficult to diagnose pancreatic cancer in early stages because it doesn’t always cause symptoms. If your doctor believes you might have pancreatic cancer, they may order tests, including:
- Imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRIs and endoscopic ultrasound
- Biopsy to examine tissue for cancer cells
- Blood tests to check for certain indicators of pancreatic cancer or to monitor treatment
What are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer?
Risk factors can include:
- Obesity
- Smoking, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
- Age, with risk increasing over time
- Gender, as pancreatic cancer affects men more often than women
- Diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes
- Inherited genetic syndromes
Pancreatic cancer care at Geisinger
Find specialists offering the wraparound pancreatic cancer care you need — right in your neighborhood. When you come to Geisinger for cancer care, you’ll have access to:
- Multidisciplinary expertise: Surgeons and oncologists who build treatment plans just for you.
- Regional leadership and support: From nurse navigators to nutrition counseling and financial coordination, we provide the resources you need.
- Leading-edge clinical trials: Participating in a trial may help even if standard approaches haven’t worked
- Genetic innovation: Programs like MyCode help detect hidden cancer risk. Sign up for MyCode.
- Lifelong survivorship: Our support continues after treatment to support your health during recovery.