Being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer can feel overwhelming. This page is designed to provide accurate information, structured guidance, and trusted resources to help you understand your diagnosis and take your next steps with confidence.
Table of Contents
- Welcome & Understanding Your Diagnosis
- Next Steps After Diagnosis
- Treatment Options
- Clinical Trials Access
- Resources for Patients & Caregivers
- Glossary & FAQ
Understanding Your Diagnosis
Pancreatic cancer begins in the pancreas, an organ that helps regulate blood sugar and produces enzymes for digestion. The most common type is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which arises in the ducts of the pancreas. Less common types include neuroendocrine tumors.
Staging (localized, borderline resectable, locally advanced, or metastatic) is determined through imaging (CT, MRI, EUS) and biopsy.
📖 Resource: National Cancer Institute – Pancreatic Cancer
Next Steps After Diagnosis
Confirm Your Diagnosis and Stage – Use imaging, biopsy, and bloodwork (including CA 19-9) to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of pancreatic cancer.
Seek a Second Opinion – Outcomes often improve when care is coordinated through high-volume cancer centers. Sky Foundation partners closely with Henry Ford Health, Karmanos Cancer Institute, and the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center—and we can help connect you directly to any of these hospital systems upon request.
Get Genetic Testing – Genetic testing is now standard for all pancreatic cancer patients. It not only helps guide treatment, but also gives your family valuable insight into their own potential risks. If you have a first-degree relative with pancreatic cancer, we strongly encourage scheduling genetic testing to protect yourself and your loved ones. Find a genetic councselor near you on our Genetic Counselors Page.
Understand Your Treatment Pathways – Common treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, clinical trials, and palliative care. Understanding each pathway helps you and your care team make informed decisions tailored to your needs.
Explore Clinical Trials Early – Access to new and emerging therapies can improve survival and quality of life. We recommend TriCan Health, which can match your specific case details to active clinical trials that may be the best fit for you.
Build a Multidisciplinary Care Team – Assemble a team that includes experienced surgeons, oncologists, gastroenterologists, and nutritionists. If you’re a candidate for the Whipple procedure, research your surgeon carefully—experience matters. Look for someone who has performed hundreds, ideally thousands of successful Whipple surgeries. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and gather all the information you need to make a confident decision.
Prepare for Appointments – Bring a trusted caregiver and a written list of questions to each visit. Staying organized ensures you get the answers and support you need at every step. Refer to our questions for yourself and your medical team page.
Treatment Options
- Surgery: Whipple procedure, distal pancreatectomy, or total pancreatectomy (curative intent).
- Chemotherapy: FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel, or gemcitabine alone.
- Radiation Therapy: For borderline resectable or locally advanced disease, or symptom relief.
- Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy: PARP inhibitors for BRCA1/2 mutations; pembrolizumab for MSI-H tumors.
- Clinical Trials
- Palliative Care: Pain management, nutrition counseling, enzyme replacement, and emotional support.
Clinical Trials Access
Clinical trials test new therapies, including targeted drugs and immunotherapies. Patients often benefit from enrolling early. Clinical Trials are often looked at when patients “have no other options”. But in the words of pancreatic cancer survivor, Kay Kays “Clinical Trials should be the Appetizer, not the dessert.” meaning these should not be a last resort, and rather a valuable resource at the beginning of your path.
Click here to discover what works best for you on TriCan Health.
Resources for Patients & Caregivers
- Patient Navigation: NCI patient navigator programs help with scheduling and trial enrollment.
- Financial Support: CancerCare, Patient Advocate Foundation, and Social Security Compassionate Allowances.
- Caregiver Resources: Cancer Support Community.
- Educational Materials
- Peer Support
- Nutrition & Symptom Management: Johns Hopkins Medicine – Nutrition.
Support & Emotional Well-Being
Counseling & Mental Health
Emotional health is an important part of your care. Oncology social workers, psychologists, and cancer support groups can help manage anxiety, depression, and the emotional challenges that come with a diagnosis.
Peer Support Communities
At Sky Foundation, our community includes many individuals who have personally experienced a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. They offer understanding, encouragement, and valuable guidance.
Join our Facebook Support Group to connect with others, or consider getting more involved by joining one of our Boards or Committees to further support our mission.
Caregiver Health
Caring for a loved one with pancreatic cancer can be emotionally and physically demanding. Caregiver-focused programs and respite care can help prevent burnout. We recommend reaching out to Gilda’s Club for trusted caregiver support and resources.
Integrative Therapies
Incorporating practices such as meditation, yoga, gentle exercise, and nutrition support can improve overall well-being and quality of life during treatment.
Connect with a Sky Advocate
Many of our Board Members, Committee Members, and volunteers are either survivors or have supported a loved one through a pancreatic cancer path. We would be happy to connect you with someone who understands what you’re going through and can offer personal insight and encouragement.
Contact Annie, Sky’s Executive Director, to be matched with a supportive Sky Advocate:
📧 Annie@SkyFoundationInc.org
📞 248-385-5143
Glossary & FAQ
Adenocarcinoma: Most common pancreatic cancer type.
Biopsy: Tissue sampling to confirm diagnosis.
CA 19-9: Tumor marker used for monitoring, not diagnosis.
EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound): Imaging test for detailed pancreas evaluation.
Whipple Procedure: Complex surgery for tumors in the head of the pancreas.
Palliative Care: Specialized care to improve quality of life alongside treatment.
FAQ Highlights:
- How is staging determined? – Imaging, biopsy, and tumor spread.
- Should I get genetic testing? – Yes, recommended for all patients.
- What if surgery isn’t possible? – Options include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, or clinical trials.
- Where can I find clinical trials? – TriCanHealth.com
Closing Note
Pancreatic cancer care requires expert guidance, advanced treatments, and strong support systems. At Sky Foundation, we are here to connect patients and caregivers with top medical teams, clinical trial opportunities, and a supportive community that understands this journey.
