Healthcare: Cancer Care

Screening for Pancreatic Cancer

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Pancreas
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There are no established guidelines for the screening of pancreatic cancer. However, those at high-risk for pancreatic cancer, due to genetic predisposition, may benefit from pancreatic cancer screening. A series of tests and procedures may be done during a patient’s evaluation.

High-risk individuals with a genetic predisposition for pancreatic cancer, patients who have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, and patients over the age of 50 with new onset diabetes should be screened.

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Tests

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Some of the tests used to screen for pancreas cancer are:

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What to Expect

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A pancreatic cancer workup at the Elkins Pancreas Center includes the following:

  • A clinic visit with a pancreas specialist who will assess risk factors of pancreatic cancer such as smoking, obesity, presence of chronic pancreatitis or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or new onset diabetes.
  • MRI screening of the pancreas
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound with possible Fine Needle Aspiration of any discovered lesion
  • A CA 19-9 tumor marker blood test
  • Genetic counseling for patients with familial pancreatic cancer or patient with single first degree relative with pancreatic cancer under the age of fifty
  • A multidisciplinary tumor board will be assigned your individual case, discussing any concerning lesions discovered during the screening
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Tumor Board

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Scott Holmes
Elkins Pancreas Center tumor board
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A tumor board consists of physicians from multiple disciplines such as surgery, oncology, gastroenterology, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology that will discuss your case as a team and come up with an individual treatment plan for you.

If work-up is negative, the above work-up will be repeated in two to three-year intervals.

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