Pancreatic cancer is very difficult to diagnose. Your physician may attempt to biopsy the tumor in your pancreas. Blood tests are also part of the evaluation for pancreatic cancer. Blood tests provide information about the functioning of the pancreas and are used to identify tumor markers. Tumor markers are substances present in abnormal amounts in some people who have pancreatic cancer.
Many factors determine which method of treatment is appropriate for each individual.
Surgery may be recommended to remove the collection of cancerous cells. Chemotherapy , treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells, may be recommended. Radiation therapy , use of high-energy beams to kill cancer cells, may be recommended. Frequently, a combination of treatment methods are used. The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center has a special clinic devoted to colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers with a number of experts who collaborate on the care of each patient.