Pancreatic cancer is complex to diagnose and treat, often requiring expertise from multiple specialists. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, you have access to nationally recognized, coordinated care and a treatment plan personalized to your needs, all close to home. 

Key Takeaways

  • St. Elizabeth is recognized as a Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence by the National Pancreas Foundation. 
  • You benefit from a multidisciplinary team that collaborates on an individualized treatment plan. 
  • Advanced treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and clinical trials, are available close to home. 
  • Dedicated support services help you and your loved ones navigate every stage of care. 

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, with questions about treatment and next steps often arising all at once. 

At St. Elizabeth, an experienced care team and comprehensive resources help you and your loved ones move forward with greater clarity and confidence. 

Expert Care Recognized Nationally

St. Elizabeth is recognized as a Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence by the National Pancreas Foundation, a distinction awarded to programs that demonstrate excellence in patient-centered care, multidisciplinary treatment and clinical outcomes. 

This designation reflects St. Elizabeth’s commitment to comprehensive pancreatic care and collaboration across specialties. 

Understanding Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that helps your body digest food and regulate blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer begins when abnormal cells grow and form a tumor in this organ. Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect early because it often develops without noticeable symptoms in its initial stages. 

As the disease progresses, symptoms may include: 

  • Abdominal or back pain.
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea or digestive changes.
  • New-onset diabetes or worsening blood sugar control.

Because these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions, it is important to discuss persistent concerns with a healthcare provider. 

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment

At St. Elizabeth, your multidisciplinary team may include medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurse navigators, and supportive care specialists. Together, these experts review your diagnosis, develop a personalized treatment plan, and guide you through each step of care.

Physicians involved in your care may include Brent Xia, MD (Surgical Oncology), Minsig Choi, MD (Medical Oncology), and Ivan Bedoya-Apraez, MD (Medical Oncology). They collaborate with the broader care team to help you and your loved ones understand your options and make informed decisions. 

Treatment options may include:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Supportive care
  • Precision medicine
  • Clinical trials

Advanced Surgical Expertise

St. Elizabeth is a high-volume center with perioperative outcomes that meet or exceed national benchmarks. Along with traditional open surgery, St. Elizabeth offers robotic-assisted, minimally invasive approaches for pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy to support advanced care and recovery. 

Support Beyond Treatment

Pancreatic cancer care extends beyond medical treatment. You and your loved ones may also need guidance with nutrition, symptom management, emotional well-being and practical concerns. 

St. Elizabeth offers support services to address these needs. Nurse navigators provide guidance through appointments and treatment decisions, while other resources support your emotional and physical well-being. 

Hope Through Innovation

Advances in imaging, surgical techniques, systemic therapies and clinical research are creating new opportunities to tailor pancreatic cancer treatment more precisely. 

No one should face pancreatic cancer alone. With nationally recognized expertise, comprehensive treatment options and dedicated support, St. Elizabeth Healthcare is here to help you navigate your diagnosis with confidence and hope. 

Learn More

To learn more about pancreatic cancer care at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, visit: https://www.stelizabeth.com/medical-services/cancer/digestive-cancer/pancreatic-cancer/