Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which specialist should I consult for symptoms of jaundice, weight loss and abdominal pain?

You need to consult a general surgeon or a surgical gastro-enterologist for work up to determine the cause for your symptoms and the treatment required.

2. Can pancreatic cancer be prevented?

It may be difficult to prevent it. However eliminating the risk factors such as cigarette smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and consumption of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables may help in lowering the risk of such cancers.

3. Can regular screening prevent pancreatic cancer?

Screening is not possible in the entire population. However if you are a high-risk person with family history of malignancy or have a history of pancreatitis, you need to undergo periodic screening with MRI/CT or endoscopic ultrasound and checkup.

4. What is the prognosis of pancreatic cancer?

Ninety-five percent of the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are not able to live more than 5 years. Very few people who have undergone the surgery are cured.

5. Why is the prognosis for pancreatic cancers poor?

Prognosis is poor because they are discovered late and often present at an advanced stage.

6. Is chemotherapy likely to be helpful for advanced stage caner?

Recent research has shown some new drug molecules that may benefit such cancer patients and prolong the survival of such patients.

Patients or their families should discuss about possible participation in such trails with the oncologist.

Published on Sep 24, 2014
Last Updated on Jul 16, 2019

guest Sunday, April 15, 2007

my father 72yrs age 10yrs before he had one mass in left throat after we make operation and after biopsy there was a cancer infection after that we give him 1 month radiation and six chemo.now on right side there is another small grow in throatt and abdomen usg report shows CBD dilated 12mm and head of pancreas one mass exist.now his bilirumin is 10.2mg and not able to eat and itching full body.some fever(101 F)is there with out any surgery how i can keep him quite normal he also diabetic(avg pp220)please give some medicine name that can help him to reduce jundis his eyes is yellow and urin also very yelloish.please help me i am a poor family not afford any surgery and i wish only how much day he lives he should live without pain with any medicine.thanks