Diagnosis
Pancreatic cancer remains a devastating disease for those who are unfortunate enough to acquire it. At the time of diagnosis, only 15 to 20 percent of tumors are deemed resectable (capable of being removed by through surgery).
Much of the difficulty arises from the lack of symptoms until late in the disease and the aggressive nature of the cancer. A five-year review of patients treated at Miami Valley Hospital (MVH) found that 73 of 157 cases were classified as AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) Stage IV. Of the 73 Stage IV cases, 65 were confirmed to have metastatic lesions in the bone, CNS, liver, lung, adrenal gland, pleura, supraclavicular lymph node, and/or peritoneum.
Learn more about pancreatic cancer diagnosis at MVH.