Several risk factors increase the likelihood that a person may develop pancreatic cancer, although the presence of one or more does not mean that a person will develop the disease. And, fortunately, some of the most significant risk factors for this cancer are behaviors that people can change. Risk factors include:
While a patient may change his or her diet or stop smoking to reduce risk, other factors are outside of people’s control. These include:
If a physician determines that a patient has symptoms of pancreatic cancer, the doctor may conduct tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease. Initial steps taken to identify pancreatic cancer include a physical examination, medical history evaluation, and imaging.
Several blood tests also help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer, including measurement of tumor markers. These markers are proteins that may be elevated in people with pancreatic cancer. Other blood screenings include liver function tests and complete blood count (CBC). A physician may also order a biopsy of the pancreas.
The staging process assesses whether cancer has spread throughout the body, and – if so — how far it has spread. The process helps doctors formulate the best treatment plan for a specific patient. Researchers have established five main stages of pancreatic cancer:
Stage 3: Cancer has affected major vessels and nerves, as well as lymph nodes.
Sometimes doctors use a separate, simpler system for staging pancreatic cancer to determine whether it can be surgically removed. This approach divides pancreatic cancer into removable, borderline removable, and not removable cases.
Patients needing compassionate pancreatic cancer care from experienced providers should turn to Regional Cancer Care Associates. With oncologists and hematologists at 25 community-based care centers across New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, RCCA is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to patients with cancers and blood disorders. Contact one of these locations today for more on pancreatic cancer treatment.
Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) oncologists have been trained at the world’s most distinguished medical institutions. Our experts have proven their leadership as professors, clinicians and researchers. At RCCA, we focus on you, individually. We offer high-quality, advanced treatment — close to home — and work with you and your family to make sure your care is second to none.
To get more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (844) 346-7222. You can also contact the RCCA location nearest you.
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Leading cancer care provider Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) is proud to announce that it will be adding a new location in Edison, N.J., with the joining of long-standing, Edison-based practice Oncology and Hematology Associates of Central Jersey PA into the RCCA network of facilities, effective Jan. 1, 2022.
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Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
