Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer is cancer that forms in the tissue of the pancreas, the small, hockey stick-shaped gland located behind the stomach. There are two main types of pancreatic cancer tumors: exocrine, which is most common, and neuroendocrine.

Exocrine tumors target the pancreas’s exocrine cells, which produce enzymes that help with digestion. Neuroendocrine tumors, sometimes abbreviated as NETs or PNETs, form when there’s an abnormal growth of islet cells, which produce hormones to control blood sugar levels.

Both types of pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect early and even more difficult to treat because the tumors are typically inoperable and resistant to drugs.

However, there is promising research in the field of pancreatic cancer detection and treatment, and the GW Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal Cancer Program is home to a highly skilled team of experts who specialize in treating pancreatic cancer.