Main Menu
Search the site for providers, locations, and content.
Types
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic CancerThom Mrozek has loved the outdoors since he was a kid. At the age of 10, he discovered what wouldbecome his lifelong outdoor passion golf.“It is a great release from the trials and tribulations of everyday life. No matter how bad my gamemight be, and it's been bad at times, it's always a beautiful day on the golf course.”-Thom, PatientBut clouds started to gather six years ago, when Thom experienced stomach pains that became too severeto ignore. After a visit to his doctor, he received surprising news.“I got the phone call from him telling me, “it’s your pancreas.” I had no idea what a pancreas was orwhat it did.”-Thom, PatientThe pancreas is located just behind the stomach. It’s made up of a head, body and tail.The pancreas contains two main types of cells: Exocrine, cells, which help with digestion and Endocrinecells, which regulate blood sugar.“Maybe 98% of the pancreas is made up of the Exocrine cells or the digestive part. Where only 5% atthe very most is made up of the Endocrine cells that secrete the hormones in the blood.”-Dr. TimothyDonahue, MD, UCLA School of MedicineThom juggled his busy job as a public affairs officer with follow-up visits to several doctors. Eventually, hereceived a diagnosis: Pancreatic cancer.“It's like a ton of bricks. It takes the breath out of you. And it completely alters your life in ways that arejust unimaginable.”-Thom, Patient“So, I’ll have you go ahead and lie down on your back.”To diagnose Pancreatic cancer, doctors rely on imaging tests and biopsies, which are also used to assignthe cancer a stage. Stage 1 tumors are confined to the pancreas. Stage 2 cancer has spread just outside thepancreas to nearby tissues and organs. Stage 3 has spread to lymph nodes and nearby blood vessels. AndStage 4 cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Based on the stage of your cancer, as well as thelocation and type of cells involved, your age, and overall health. Your provider will determine whichtreatment is right for you.In people like Thom, whose tumor can be removed entirely, doctors may recommend surgery. The mostcommon type, which Thom had, is called a Whipple procedure. This operation takes up to 12 hours andinvolves removing the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, and portions of the common bile duct, smallPage 1 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1003198 EN PancreaticCancer.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPancreatic Cancerintestine, and stomach.“Following a week-long stay in the hospital, I spent about six weeks here at home at my couch justliterally unable to move, because it is such a significant and debilitating procedure.”-Thom, PatientOther treatment options include Chemotherapy, which uses medications, taken by IV or mouth, to killcancer cells all over the body and radiation, which kills cancer cells with high-energy X-rays.Chemotherapy and radiation may also be used after surgery to try to kill any lingering cancer cells andkeep the cancer from coming back. In most cases, though, Pancreatic cancer cannot be removedsurgically, and chemotherapy is the main treatment to shrink the cancer or slow its growth.“In the last eight years or so effective chemotherapies have been identified for patients withpancreatic cancer, which have impacted the survival rate.”- Dr. Timothy Donahue, MD, UCLASchool of MedicineDoctors may also prescribe so-called Targeted Therapy. Medications that block certain substances thathelp cancer cells grow. Also, those who are eligible may consider enrolling in clinical trials which arestudies of new therapies. Regardless of your treatment, you may experience pain from your cancer. Ifso, let your health care team know because they have treatments that can provide relief. Today Thomis free of pain, but he still has other effects.“I'm reminded every single day what happened to me. I have digestive issues. I don't have theenergy that I used to have, but when it's all said and done, I couldn't be happier.”-Thom, PatientSince his diagnosis, Thom’s goal has been to see his daughter graduate from high school.“I'm over halfway there now, and I have high hopes of seeing her go off to a wonderful university.”Thom, PatientPage 2 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1003198 EN PancreaticCancer.pdf© The Wellness Network
Featured in
Select a primary care physician who will deliver personal care, close to home.
We have you covered from head (neurosurgery) to toe (podiatry.) And everything in-between!
Get the right care at the right time.
This video will teach patients what prostate cancer is, its stages, and common treatments.
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a rare type of cancer. It occurs in the gastrointestinal or digestive tract.
This video will teach patients what lymphoma is, its stages, and common treatments.
Watch this video to learn when you should start getting screened for regular mammograms for early detection of breast cancer.
