Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas. Around 10,500 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer yearly in the UK.
Contact UsWhat is Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ in the top part of your abdomen which helps you to digest food by producing digestive juices and makes hormones such as insulin. Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the pancreas begin to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way and form a tumour.
We work together to combine the highest levels of consultant-led care and patient choice with the most advanced knowledge and understanding of the disease and its forms.
Find out more about Pancreatic cancer
Although the direct cause of pancreatic cancer is not known, there are some risk factors that may contribute towards developing pancreatic cancer. Please note that these are by no means considered to be directly definitive, they’re just to give an indication of potentially increased risk. If you are concerned about the risk of pancreatic cancer, do not hesitate to consult a medical professional.
- smoking or using tobacco
- drinking a lot of alcohol regularly
- having had a previous cancer.
- aged 65+
Symptoms
Again, it is important to note that these symptoms are not definitive, they may be an indication of another condition or indeed nothing at all. To reiterate, a medical professional should be consulted in the case of any concerns or persistent symptoms. The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:
- pain and discomfort in the upper part of the tummy (abdomen) that sometimes spreads out into the back
- signs of jaundice such as yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, itchy skin, dark pee (urine) or pale and smelly poo (stools) that are difficult to flush away (steatorrhea)
- unexplained weight loss
Diagnosis
In general terms, referrals to the hospital are undertaken by a GP who suspects that cancer may be the cause of one or all of the symptoms mentioned above. The urgency of these follow up tests will be determined by the severity of your symptoms, and your age, but here is a list of possible tests and procedures undertaken to produce a diagnosis:
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)An MRCP is an organ-specific type of MRI scan, but it is not available in every hospital. The scan shows any narrowing or blockages in the pancreatic ducts or bile ducts.
- Endoscopic ultrasoundAn ultrasound scan making use of a thin, flexible tube.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)An ERCP is when they pass a thin flexible tube (endoscope) down into the first part of the small bowel (duodenum). They look at the pancreas and take samples of tissue (biopsies).
- Biopsy
- Investigative surgery
Treatments available at Clatterbridge Private Clinic
Clatterbridge Private Clinic offers several advanced and innovative treatments for pancreatic cancer, many of which are not available on the NHS. Our expert consultants take the time to get to know you and your needs so they can create a tailored treatment plan which is most appropriate for your condition. All our treatments are delivered by specialist multi-disciplinary teams who are dedicated to providing exceptional care to each and every patient.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be used to treat pancreatic cancer. The type of surgery you have will depend on where the cancer is in your pancreas. If it is possible to remove your cancer surgery may take place to remove part, or all of the pancreas. In some cases, you may have to have parts of other organs surrounding the pancreas removed too. Surgery may also take place to control the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, by unblocking the bile duct or small intestine. At Clatterbridge Private Clinic, we work with a number of specialist partners around the north-west to provide the best-suited surgery for you. Other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy can also be provided after surgery, depending on the treatment plan our specialist team provides.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. It uses cytotoxic drugs to disrupt the cancer cell’s ability to grow and reproduce. Chemotherapy is sometimes given to control and improve the symptoms of pancreatic cancer if you are not able to have surgery or if the cancer cannot be removed with surgery. It is also given before surgery to shrink the cancer or after surgery to prevent the cancer coming back. Patients at Clatterbridge Private Clinic are treated within our state-of-the-art outpatient chemotherapy suite and have access to the latest drug regimes, some of which may not be routinely available on the NHS.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy involves using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It is often used to slow cancer down and keep it under control. Radiotherapy can be used after surgery to prevent cancer returning, before surgery to shrink the cancer, or as an alternative if surgery is not an option. At Clatterbridge Private Clinic, we offer advanced radiotherapy techniques such as image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and three-dimensional radiation therapy (3D-CRT), all delivered by our expert radiographers.
Pancreatic cancer specialists
At Clatterbridge Private Clinic, we have a team of expert consultants who specialise in the treatment of pancreatic cancer and have advanced knowledge of the disease. Your consultant will get to know you and your needs, and talk you through your treatment options, discussing any potential side effects and what the treatment can be expected to achieve. They take the time to get to know you on a more personal level, and will be on hand throughout your journey with us to discuss your progress, provide updates, and answer any questions you may have. Our pancreatic cancer specialists are:
