The Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer offers diagnosis, treatment and support for those with pancreatic cancer.  To make an appointment or for more information:

Healthcare professionals, please contact our M-LINE service: 800-962-3555.

Patients, please call 734-647-8902.

Pancreatic cancer types include:

• Exocrine pancreatic cancer: The most common pancreatic cancers are cancers of the exocrine cells—about 95% of pancreatic cancers begin in these cells. Most tumors that form in the exocrine cells are cancers that begin in pancreatic duct cells (adenocarcinomas).
• Endocrine pancreatic cancer: Cancers that develop in the endocrine cells are the least common type of pancreatic cancer. These cancers are pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or islet cell tumors, that form in the cells that make hormones.
• Ampullary cancer: Tumors can also form in the area where digestive juices from the pancreas flow into the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). Cancer that forms in this area (the ampulla of Vater) is ampullary cancer.

Pancreatic symptoms can include:

• Abdominal or back pain
• Appetite loss
• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Jaundice (yellow eyes or skin)
• Light-colored stools
• New onset of diabetes
• Weight loss

Our experts diagnose pancreatic growths and changes in pancreatic function. We begin with a physical examination and may recommend certain tests to diagnose pancreatic cancers. We use:

Imaging tests

Specialists use imaging tests to view the pancreas in greater detail, including:

• Abdominal ultrasound: Experts move a transducer over the skin of your abdomen. We use sound waves to create detailed pictures of the pancreas and surrounding tissue.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: We use a special X-ray test to see many views of the pancreas and whether cancer has spread to other organs.
• Endoscopic ultrasound: Experts insert a thin lighted flexible instrument (endoscope) with a camera through your mouth or rectum. Sound waves create images of the pancreas.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Specialists use radio waves and magnets to create images that show changes to the pancreas and other organs.

Laboratory tests

Rogel Cancer Center specialists use certain laboratory tests to diagnose pancreatic tumors. These tests may include:

• Blood tests: We check levels of blood sugar (glucose), glucagon, insulin and other substances that may indicate cancer is present.
• Stool analysis: Specialists check stool samples for high levels of salt (sodium) and potassium or fat that may indicate abnormal pancreatic function.

Laparoscopy

Our experts may recommend laparoscopy. We insert a thin lighted instrument (laparoscope) through a small incision in your abdomen to take tissue or fluid samples (biopsy). Pathology specialists examine these samples under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Rogel Cancer Center specialists are experts in developing personalized strategies to treat complex pancreatic cancers. We offer:

Pancreatic cancer surgery

Pancreatic cancer surgery is the best option for preventing the spread (metastasis) of these cancers. For tumors that are removable (resectable tumors), Rogel Cancer Center offers:

• Distal pancreatectomy: Surgeons remove the body and tail of the pancreas. We may also remove your spleen. With the distal pancreatectomy, your pancreas can still make digestive juices and insulin.
• Total pancreatectomy: Experts remove the entire pancreas and some surrounding tissue. This surrounding tissue includes the gallbladder, lymph nodes, spleen and portions of your small intestine. If needed, we may remove part of the stomach. We may also remove the tube carrying bile from the liver to the gallbladder (common bile duct).
• Whipple procedure: Surgeons remove a portion of the pancreas (head), the gallbladder and the bile duct, part of the small intestine, and, if needed, portions of the stomach. With the Whipple procedure, your pancreas can still make digestive juices and insulin.

When tumors can’t be fully removed, surgeons may do surgery to improve function and manage symptoms (palliative surgery). Experts may recommend:

• Biliary bypass: Surgeons create a new route for bile to travel between the liver and small intestine when there are blockages in the bile duct.
• Endoscopic stent: Experts insert a tube (stent) to relieve built-up bile in a blocked bile ducts.
• Gastric bypass: Surgeons create a direct pathway form the stomach to the small intestine when tumors block food’s movement from the stomach.

Radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer

Not all pancreatic tumors are resectable at the time of diagnosis. Our radiation oncology experts use radiation therapy to reduce tumor size and help make surgery possible. In tumors that aren’t made resectable by radiation therapy, we also use external beam therapy to manage symptoms.

You may have radiation therapy every day for several weeks. We may also combine radiation therapy with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) to destroy cancer cells.  Learn more about this type of treatment on our Radiation Therapy webpage.

Systemic therapy for pancreatic cancer

Our experts may recommend medications that travel through your bloodstream to destroy cancer cells. You may have these medications before or after surgery or radiation therapy to treat some pancreatic cancers. We use:

• Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs that work throughout your body to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing
• Hormone therapy: Medications that remove or block hormones that fuel neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors
• Targeted therapy: Specialized drugs that target specific cancer cells while sparing your body’s healthy cells

The Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer at the Rogel Cancer Center supports patient care and translational research for pancreatic cancer. With more than 100 doctors, scientists, and trainees from across the University of Michigan, the Rogel and Blondy Center is gaining new insights into pancreatic cancer and translating this knowledge into treatments for our patients.

An important part of our research is clinical trials.  In the video below, Dr. Jamie Mills explains how basic science research can lead to clinical trials and from there, new treatment options for patients.

You can learn more about pancreatic cancer research by visiting the Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer.