Pancreatic cancer often develops silently and may not cause specific symptoms until it is advanced. When symptoms appear, they may include abdominal or back pain, weight loss, jaundice, and new-onset diabetes. Treatment depends on the stage and may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or combinations of these therapies.
Symptoms are often vague, which can delay diagnosis. Persistent, unexplained symptoms—especially in people at higher risk—deserve prompt evaluation.
Call the office if you have unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal or back pain, jaundice, or new-onset diabetes, especially if you have known risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Seek emergency care for severe abdominal pain, uncontrolled vomiting, high fever, sudden jaundice with severe itching, or signs of blood clots (arm or leg swelling and pain, shortness of breath).
Evaluation involves imaging (CT, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasound), blood tests, and biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine stage. High-risk patients may be considered for specialized screening programs.
Treatment options depend on whether the cancer can be surgically removed. Early-stage disease may be treated with surgery plus chemotherapy. More advanced disease typically relies on chemotherapy, radiation, and supportive care to control symptoms and improve quality of life.
If your insurance requires a referral or prior authorization, our billing office will make every effort to obtain it before services are rendered. If you choose to proceed without required authorization, insurance may deny coverage. If you are a Medicare patient, you may be asked to sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) acknowledging financial responsibility if insurance does not pay. If you are enrolled in a commercial insurance plan you will be asked to sign a non-covered services form.