Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer treatment

Although pancreatic cancer is serious and often difficult to treat, it can be treatable when found early. There are several treatment options available for pancreatic cancer. Three of the most common are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Your healthcare team will recommend the most appropriate pancreatic cancer treatment based on the stage and location of your cancer.

At The University of Kansas Cancer Center, our specialized care team is dedicated to pancreatic cancer treatment. Our experts don’t just use the latest technology and most current treatments, they help develop it. Through leading-edge scientific research and innovative clinical trials, our doctors are paving the way for better pancreatic cancer care.

Pancreatic cancer treatment options

Gastrointestinal cancer (GI cancer) specialists at The University of Kansas Cancer Center are at the forefront of discovering new pancreatic cancer treatments that improve lives.

Our doctors have helped develop a new generation of chemotherapy drugs. These drugs treat specific aspects of GI cancer, such as the cancerous cells or cell-growth mechanisms. They include:
- Targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without affecting healthy cells
- Anti-angiogenesis drugs that prevent the formation of the blood vessels that feed tumors
We can use these in combination with traditional chemotherapy and surgery, when necessary.
We also offer advanced treatments for pancreatic cancer with interventional radiology. IR uses CT technology to guide a probe from the skin directly to a lesion to perform microwave ablation. IR also uses live X-ray to guide catheters into tumor vessels to embolize or stop blood supply to tumors. Advanced imaging, including X-ray, CT-MRI and ultrasound, help interventional radiologists guide the catheter to the affected area of the body.
Our da Vinci^® Surgical System can improve the surgeons' precision in GI surgeries.
Proton therapy is the leading-edge form of radiation treatment currently available. Proton therapy is a form of external beam radiation that uses energized protons to deliver radiation to a tumor.
Radioisotope therapy uses a radioactive drug to selectively destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. The procedure uses infusion to administer a liquid radiation, such as Lutathera, along with amino acids to protect the kidneys.
Also called a pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure is a complex surgery used to treat certain types of pancreatic cancer. During the Whipple procedure, part of the pancreas, gallbladder and small intestine is removed. After removal, the digestive tract is reconstructed. This allows food to pass through and for digestive enzymes to reach the intestines.

The Whipple procedure is considered a major surgery and is usually only performed by specialized surgery teams, such as the those at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

Morning Medical Update: Pancreatic Cancer

Chris Barreca, a pancreatic cancer survivor, experienced severe abdominal pain in 2020 and underwent successful Whipple surgery at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, followed by chemotherapy.

Pancreatic cancer clinical trials

People with pancreatic cancer have the opportunity to take part in clinical trials. Pancreatic cancer clinical trials are research studies to help find better ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center is currently researching a vaccine for people with pancreatic cancer who have been through treatment. The clinical trial is studying how well the vaccine can prevent pancreatic cancer from coming back after surgery. Other clinical trials for pancreatic cancer are also being explored.

More options, more hope

Many new therapies are available through clinical trials. Find out how you may benefit from a clinical trial, and what it can do for others.

Why join

Life after pancreatic cancer

After pancreatic cancer treatment, you may have ongoing follow-up care to look for any signs of cancer or side effects from treatment. It's important to have regular check-ups with your healthcare team and communicate any concerns or changes in your health.

Adjusting to life after pancreatic cancer may involve making lifestyle changes, such eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and managing stress. Other support services offered at The University of Kansas Cancer Center can provide additional tools and resources as you navigate life after pancreatic cancer.

Each person’s experience with pancreatic cancer is unique, and there is hope after a new pancreatic cancer diagnosis. With ongoing advancements in research and clinical trials, many people go on to lead fulfilling lives after pancreatic cancer treatment.

Helpful websites

National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute (part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health)

Start your path today.

Your journey to health starts here. Call 913-588-1227 or request an appointment at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

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