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Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer that spreads quickly. By the time most cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed, the disease is in more advanced stages. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to cure, so doctors focus their treatment efforts on easing symptoms and slowing the growth of the cancer.
If you need treatment for pancreatic cancer in Northern California, Find a Doctor at Dignity Health North State for expert care.
Your doctor will create a personalized treatment plan based on the stage of your cancer, if it has spread, and your overall health. Many times your doctor will use a combination of treatments to help control the cancer and make you feel better.
Radiation therapy is often used before surgery to shrink a tumor, or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells. Radiation is also used in combination with chemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer.
If your tumor is small, surgery may be used to remove the cancer. Surgery can also be useful to help prevent complications and relieve symptoms.
Like radiation, chemotherapy can help shrink tumors before surgery and kill cancer cells after surgery. Chemotherapy is also used to prevent the return of cancer after surgery and as a main treatment when surgery isn’t an option.
Targeted therapies use markers to identify and kill cancer cells. Targeted therapy is often used when chemotherapy doesn’t work or when surgery is not an option.
Before finalizing your treatment plan, discuss the goals, side effects, and benefits of each treatment option with your doctor. Clinical trials can also provide you access to experimental treatments.
Your doctor may suggest palliative care to ease your symptoms. Palliative care helps improve both your physical and psychological health while living with pancreatic cancer. We also have support groups to care for your emotional well-being.
You can trust the cancer care team at Dignity Health North State to provide the care you need with humankindness.
