Pancreas

What is my pancreas?

The pancreas is a tube structure gland behind the stomach.

What does my pancreas do?

It serves two functions: the production of digestive enzymes and the production of endocrine hormones, including insulin and glucagon.

Pancreatic Cancer

The most common type of pancreatic cancer is that of the duct. In the United States, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death. In the United States, it is responsible for over 30,000 deaths per year.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

• Weight loss
• Pain in the upper abdomen or back
• Yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, and light stool
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

Diagnostic Procedures

There are various ways of screening for pancreatic cancer, available at Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare facilities.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Offered at the following locations:

• Jewish Hospital
  (502) 587-4327
• Jewish Hospital Glenmary Diagnostics
  (502) 587-4327
• Jewish Hospital Medical Center East
  (502) 587-4431
• Jewish Hospital Medical Center South
  (502) 955-3327
• Jewish Hospital Medical Center Southwest
  (502) 361-6161
• Jewish Hospital Shelbyville
  (502) 647-4341
• Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
  (502) 361-6161

Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatography (ERCP)

Offered at the following locations:

• Jewish Hospital
  (502) 587-4327
• Jewish Hospital Medical Center East
  (502) 587-4431
• Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
  (502) 361-6161

Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer

• Over 60 years-of-age
• Smoking (smokers experience twice the risk compared to non-smokers)
• Diabetes (higher incidence rate)
• Male Gender (slightly higher incidence rate)
• African American Race (higher incidence rate)
• Family history of pancreatic, colon or ovarian cancer

Treatment Options

• Surgery
• Auto Islet Cell
• Laparoscopic Distal Pancreas
• Whipple Procedure
• Total Pancreatectomy

Surgery: This is the principle method of treatment.

Auto Islet Cell: re-implantation of islet cells (produce insulin) into the liver’s portal vein

Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy: This is the removal of the tail of the pancreas, which can now be done via a laparoscopic route.

Whipple Procedure: This is the removal of the pancreatic head and the duodenum.

Total Pancreatectomy: This procedure reserved for chronic pain and inability to tolerate pain.