| Pancreatic Cancer Basics |
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Pancreas cancer, also called pancreatic cancer, occurs when cancer cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas has two different functions: It makes enzymes that help digest food in the small intestine, and it makes hormones, such as insulin, that are secreted into the bloodstream. Almost all pancreatic cancers start in the cells that make enzymes, and most pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas.
About 32,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. While pancreatic cancer represents only 2% of all cancer cases, it is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. For people whose cancer has not spread, the five-year survival rate is 16%. For all patients combined, the one-year survival rate is 24% and the five-year rate is about 5%.
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| Pancreatic Cancer Treatment at M. D. Anderson |
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Patients with pancreatic cancer are treated in our Gastrointestinal Center. The main goal of pancreatic cancer treatment at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to maximize both the quality and length of patient survival.
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| Pancreatic Cancer Study Group |
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Integrating the disciplines of surgery, medical oncology, radiation, and clinical nutrition together toward better patient care. Includes news and information regarding pancreatic cancer research, diagnosis and treatments, as well as profiles of pancreatic cancer survivors. Read More.
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| Pancreatic Cancer Education & Support |
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Survivor Stories
Patient Support
Anderson Network - Call 1-800-345-6324 to speak with another pancreatic cancer patient.
Cancer Survivor Message Board - Share concerns and experiences with other cancer survivors.
Support Groups - Find a group that fits your needs. |
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