Specialties & Services

Pancreatic Cancer

We understand that a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Our compassionate team of pancreatic cancer experts offer the most advanced treatments and support, so you never have to face this challenge alone.

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Why choose us for pancreatic cancer care?

BJC HealthCare offers world-class care for pancreatic cancer. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, along with its five satellite locations, is designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). While our cancer programs at Missouri Baptist Medical Center are nationally accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC).

We combine a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, research, and clinical excellence in locations designed by patients, physicians, and nurses. When you come to us for pancreatic cancer care, you'll benefit from:

Nationally recognized expertise: Siteman is a top five high-volume pancreatic treatment center in the United States, meaning it treats more patients with pancreatic cancer than most cancer programs in the country. You benefit because treatment performed in specialized, high-volume centers produce better outcomes.
High standards of care: Our care meets strict quality standards. Missouri Baptist is nationally accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC), meaning you can expect comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Research and clinical trials: New therapies for pancreatic cancer are constantly evolving. Our doctors participate in leading-edge clinical trials for treatments that aren’t widely available yet. That means you have access to the most innovative discoveries sooner. Learn more about clinical trials at BJC HealthCare.

Multidisciplinary support: We understand that a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can impact all parts of your life, that’s why we provide holistic support as you navigate this diagnosis, including nutritional counseling, emotional support, and palliative care.

Pancreatic cancer and related conditions

When you hear the words “pancreatic cancer”, what is typically being described is PDAC, the most common form of pancreatic cancer which starts in the cells that line the pancreas. Other less common cancers of the pancreas include:

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETS)
Solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN)
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)

Other conditions of the pancreas

At BJC HealthCare, our providers can also diagnose conditions of the pancreas like cysts that can be either benign or pre-cancerous. Pancreatic cysts are collections of fluid within the pancreas and are usually removed when they become symptomatic. Common symptoms include pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Cysts can become cancerous and our surgeons can help determine whether a cyst needs to be removed.

How is pancreatic cancer treated?

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the type of cancer you have, the stage at which it’s diagnosed, if the cancer has spread, your age, and overall health.

Whipple procedure

Surgery where the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, common bile duct, gallbladder, surrounding lymph nodes, and part of the stomach are removed.

Total pancreatectomy

This operation removes the entire pancreas, the common bile duct, the gallbladder, spleen, and parts of the stomach, small intestine, and nearby lymph nodes.

Distal pancreatectomy

This operation removes the neck, body, and tail of the pancreas and usually the spleen (pancreato-splenectomy).

RAMPS procedure

The RAMPS (Radical Antegrade Modular Pancreato-Splenectomy) procedure invented at Siteman Cancer Center is a specialized form of pancreato-splenectomy that is especially effective in PDACs of the body and tail of the pancreas.

Palliative surgery

If the cancer has spread and cannot be removed, some types of palliative surgery can be done to improve symptoms and quality of life like a surgical biliary bypass, if cancer is blocking the small intestine, or an endoscopic stent placement if a tumor is blocking the bile duct.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses a type of X-ray to kill cancer cells. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a type of radiation used under MRI guidance that makes it possible to give precise doses of radiation to a target area.