The Pancreatic Team is committed to easing pain. Members of the Pain Management Service are an integral part of the Sydney E. Salmon Pancreatic Cancer Program and work with patients and their families to provide maximum pain control while maintaining quality of life. When a patient is referred to the pain clinic from the Cancer Center, it is important that the pain management team and the patient are clear about the goals and objectives of the pain plan. The patient undergoes a comprehensive evaluation, including obtaining information about what they know about their diagnosis and prognosis, as well as discussing their problems and fatigue issues. The pain management team has many tools to provide support to patients, including pharmacotherapy and epidural measures.
Pain management is individualized to meet the needs of our patients and their families.
Fatigue Fatigue is the most common complaint discussed by patients with pancreas cancer. In an effort to combat this symptom associated with the disease, the Arizona Cancer Center is currently involved in a clinical trial investigating a drug that could eliminate this debilitating side effect. TNF is secreted by tumor cells. The release of TNF has been directly linked to the fatigue and malnutrition so common in advanced cancers. Enbrel is designed to inhibit the TNF and remove it from the patient's system.