Cancer guide

Pancreatic cancer

Aggressive and often diagnosed late — early treatment at a high-volume center and genetic testing meaningfully change outcomes.

What to know first

  • High-volume centers (50+ Whipple procedures per year) have better outcomes.
  • BRCA1/2 and PALB2 testing can open targeted therapy and trial options.
  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery is now common.

When to see a doctor

  • Painless jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes) — same-day evaluation
  • New-onset diabetes after 50 without obvious cause
  • Persistent upper abdominal or mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss

Related guides

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