Our Team - Pancreatic Cancer | Johns Hopkins Pathology

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Our Team

We welcome patient referrals; physicians can refer patients directly to a specific physician listed below or to our new Pancreas Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic. In addition, we have comprehensive pathology expertise and welcome surgical pathology and cytopathology case referrals.

Please call 410-933-PANC (7262) to make an appointment or inquire about physicians.

Our team has extensive experience treating pancreatic cancer.

Medical Oncology

To contact the Oncology department, please call 410-955-8964.

Nilo Azad, M.D.

Dr. Azad is a Professor of Oncology, the Associate Cancer Center Director for clinical Research, and a member of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program within the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC). She completed her fellowship in Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute and became a member of our faculty in July 2008.

Since joining the faculty of the SKCCC at John... Keep Reading >>

Katie Bever, M.D.

Dr. Katherine Bever is a medical oncologist in Baltimore, caring for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, including gastric, pancreatic, colorectal, neuroendocrine and biliary cancers.

Dr. Bever received her undergraduate degree in biophysics from Johns Hopkins University. She earned her M.D. from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She completed her residency in intern... Keep Reading >>

Ana De Jesus-Acosta, M.D.

Dr. Ana De Jesus Acosta specializes in medical oncology in Baltimore, MD and has over 22 years of experience in the field of medicine. She graduated from University Of Puerto Rico School Of Medicine with her medical degree in 2003. She is affiliated with numerous hospitals in Maryland and more, including Johns Hopkins Hospital, The. Dr. Ana De Jesus Acosta is licensed to practice by the state b... Keep Reading >>

Ross C. Donehower, M.D.

Ross C. Donehower, M.D. (specialty, Medical Oncology) is Director of the Division of Medical Oncology at The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Director of the Medical Oncology Fellowship Training Program, and Professor of Oncology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The author of over 100 publications, Dr. Donehower's research focus concerns the pharmacology of chemotherapeutic dru... Keep Reading >>

Won Jin Ho, M.D.

Dr. Won Jin Ho is a physician-scientist focused on tumor microenvironment research. Dr. Ho obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Bioengineering at University of California, Los Angeles, medical education at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, MI, and his internal medicine research pathway residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Ho then comp... Keep Reading >>

Elizabeth M. Jaffee, M.D.

Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee is a Professor of Oncology, Immunology, Pathology, and Cellular and Molecular Medicine. She has been developing new vaccine therapies for the treatment of cancer since 1990. Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee is a Professor of Oncology, Immunology, Pathology, and Cellular and Molecular Medicine. She has been developing new vaccine therapies for the treatment of cancer since 1990.

... Keep Reading >>

Dan A. Laheru, M.D.

Dr. Laheru currently serves as an Associate Professor of Oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Laheru specializes in gastrointestinal oncology with a specific focus in pancreatic cancer. His clinical research interests are in developing and testing new therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. He has developed a cli... Keep Reading >>

Dung Le, M.D.

Dung Le, M.D. is a professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and member of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Her research interests include novel approaches to patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. She has served as the principal investigator (PI) on many clinical trials focused on testing immunotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies a... Keep Reading >>

Valerie Lee, M.D.

Valerie Lee, M.D., is a medical oncologist with the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital, as well as an instructor of medical oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Lee has an expertise in management of gastrointestinal malignancies, including gastric, colon and pancreatobiliary cancers.

Dr. Lee earned her medical degree from t... Keep Reading >>

Mike Pishvaian, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Michael Pishvaian is the director of Gastrointestinal, Developmental Therapeutics and Clinical Research Programs for the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in the Greater Washington Area and an associate professor at the School of Medicine.

Dr. Pishvaian is a fellowship-trained gastrointestinal oncologist specializing in pancreatic and refractory colorectal cancers. He is committed t... Keep Reading >>

Neeha Zaidi, M.D.

Dr. Neeha Zaidi is a physician scientist and a medical oncologist, caring for patients with pancreatic and colorectal cancers.

Dr. Zaidi received her undergraduate degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Biology from Cornell University and earned her M.D. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine where she graduated with Distinction in Research. During medical school, she spent a year as a Howard Hughe... Keep Reading >>

Surgery

To contact the Surgery department, please call 443-997-1508.

Richard Burkhart, M.D.

Dr. Richard Burkhart is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital with a focus on complex minimally-invasive surgery and research for cancers of the pancreas, liver and bile ducts. Dr. Burkhart received his medical degree from Boston University and completed his surgical residency and a research fellowship at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He is ... Keep Reading >>

William Burns, M.D.

Dr. William Burns is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon within the Division of Surgical Oncology at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Burns received his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and was awarded a research training fellowship by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He completed an internsh... Keep Reading >>

Marco Dal Molin, M.D.

Marco Dal Molin, M.D., is a surgical oncologist that specializes in hepatobiliary, pancreatic and gastrointestinal surgical oncology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Dr. Dal Molin earned his medical degree at the University of Verona School of Medicine in Italy, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of Verona/Pancreas Institute. He completed a second general surgery res... Keep Reading >>

Jin He, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Jin He is Associate Professor of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is a surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of cancers and diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, and stomach. He performs open as well as minimally invasive (robotic and laparoscopic) surgery, including the Whipple procedure.

Dr. He is actively involved i... Keep Reading >>

Kelly Lafaro, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Kelly Lafaro is Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine within the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery. She is a board-certified general surgeon and surgical oncologist. Dr. Lafaro received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and completed her residency at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical... Keep Reading >>

Christopher Shubert, M.D., M.H.A.

Dr. Christopher Shubert is Assistant Professor of Surgery. He is a board-certified general surgeon with specialty training and interests in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. He is part of the HPB Program at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Shubert earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn... Keep Reading >>

John Cameron, M.D.

Dr. John L. Cameron is the Alfred Blalock Distinguished Service Professor of Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. For nineteen years he served as the Chief of Surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Cameron obtained his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1958, and his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1962. All of his t... Keep Reading >>

Radiation Oncology

To contact the Radiation Oncology department, please call 410-502-8000.

Amol Kumar Narang, M.D.

Dr. Narang is an Instructor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Radiation Oncology & Molecular Sciences. A former chief resident in the department, Dr. Narang now specializes in radiation treatment for gastrointestinal malignancies, including pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary malignancies, and gastric cancer. Dr. Narang has an interest in expanding multi-disciplinary care f... Keep Reading >>

Jeffrey Meyer, M.D., M.S.

As an Associate Professor and Director of the Gastrointestinal Program in the Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Meyer's clinical and research focus is on the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, including rectal, anal, esophageal, pancreatic, and liver malignancies. He is also leading the effort to establish a liver ... Keep Reading >>

Fariba Asrari, M.D.

Dr. Fariba Asrari is the director of Johns Hopkins Breast Center at Green Spring Station. She received her medical degree with honors from Shiraz Medical School in Iran and completed Internal medicine residency training at affiliated Hospitals of University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She then completed her second residency training in Radiation Oncology at Hahnemann university in Philadel... Keep Reading >>

Pathology

Ralph Hruban, M.D.

Ralph H. Hruban is the Baxley Professor and Director of Pathology, and Professor of Oncology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He received his Doctor of Medicine from The Johns Hopkins University. He continued at Johns Hopkins for his residency training, spent one year as a fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and then returned to Johns Hopkins to join... Keep Reading >>

Syed Ali, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Dr. Syed Zulfiqar Ali is a professor of pathology and an associate professor of radiology and radiological science at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He serves as director of the Division of Cytopathology and as director of the Cytopathology Fellowship Training Program. His research interests address diagnostic issues and prognostic factors of clinicopathologic analyses, primar... Keep Reading >>

Laura Wood, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Laura DeLong Wood is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Wood received her B.S. in Biology from the College of William & Mary, graduating Summa Cum Laude with membership in Phi Beta Kappa. She then went on to earn both her M.D. and Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with membership in Al... Keep Reading >>

Screening

Marcia (Mimi) Canto, M.D., M.H.S.

Marcia (Mimi) Canto, M.D., M.H.S. is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Oncology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is also the Director of Endoscopy at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Canto received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Philippines in Manila in 1981 (summa cum laude). She received her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1985 from the Unive... Keep Reading >>

Michael Goggins, M.B.B.Ch., M.D.

Dr. Michael G. Goggins is a professor of pathology, medicine and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He serves as director of the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Laboratory and is an attending physician in medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as a molecular biologist.

Dr. Goggins’ research interests ... Keep Reading >>

Diagnostic Imaging

Elliot Fishman, M.D.

Dr. Elliot K. Fishman received his bachelor's degree in 1973 and his medical degree in 1977 from the University of Maryland. After a residency at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Dr. Fishman completed a Fellowship in Computed Tomography in 1980 at Johns Hopkins Hospital and joined The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science at Johns Hopkins in 1981 as an Assistant Profess... Keep Reading >>

Karen M. Horton, M.D.

Dr. Horton earned her medical degree and completed her clinical training in Radiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is currently Professor of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Director of the Cross Sectional Imaging Fellowship, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Horton has co-authored numerous articles on computed tomography, ... Keep Reading >>

Satomi Kawamoto, M.D.

Dr. Satomi Kawamoto is an Associate Professor in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Radiology and Radiological Science. She specializes in computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and image-guided biopsy.

Dr. Kawamoto received her M.D. from Gunma University in Gunma, Japan, and subsequently completed two residencies, one in internal medicine at St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tok... Keep Reading >>

Atif Zaheer, M.D.

Dr. Atif Zaheer is an Associate Professor of Radiology and Radiological Science y at the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Zaheer attended medical school at the Aga Khan University. This was followed by a radiology residency at the Beth Israel Medical Center/Harvard Medical School in diagnostic radiology and a fellowship in abdominal imaging and intervention at the Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harv... Keep Reading >>

Nurse Clinician

Lindsay Parish, Senior Medical Office Coordinator

Pancreas Multisciplinary Clinic
201 North Broadway, Room 8183
Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone: 410 614-6830
Fax: 443-287-7904

An inherited genetic variation in DNA that you are born with

Third Degree Relatives - First cousins, great-aunts and uncles

Second Degree Relatives - Aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews

First Degree relatives - Blood relatives in your immediate family: parents, children, and siblings

Also known as a pancreatoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure is the surgery typically performed to remove cancers of the head of the pancreas (the part of the pancreas on the right side of your body). It typically involves the surgical removal of the head of the pancreas, a portion of the duodenum and a portion of the bile ducts.

This is an experimental type of treatment. It is a medication made of killed or weakened cells, organisms or manufactured materials, which is used to boost the body's immune system. Ideally, this will allow the body to fight and kill the cancer cells more effectively. Vaccines include whole killed cancer cells or specific proteins from the cancer.

Unable to be surgically removed. This usually means that the cancer has spread beyond the areas that can be removed surgically.

The part of the pancreas that bends backwards, hooking around two very important blood vessels, the superior mesenteric artery and vein. The word "uncinate" comes from the word uncus which means "hook."

A painless procedure in which high frequency sound waves are used to generate pictures of the inside of the body. An ultrasound devise can be placed at the end of a scope, and the scope inserted into the duodenum, providing very detailed pictures of the pancreas. This is called "endoscopic ultrasound."

This term simply refers to a "mass" or neoplasm. For example, a collection of pus is a tumor. This is a general term that can refer to either benign or malignant growths.

A clot within the blood vessels. It may occlude (block) the vessel or may be attached to the wall of the vessel without blocking the blood flow.

An inflammation of the veins accompanied by thrombus formation. It is sometimes referred to as Trousseau's sign.

The long thin part of gland in the left part of abdomen, near the spleen.

A slender hollow tube inserted into the body to relieve a blockage. For example, pancreas cancers often grow into the bile duct as the bile duct passes through the pancreas. This can block the flow of bile and cause the patient to become jaundiced. In these cases the flow of bile can be reestablished by placing a stent into the bile duct, through the area of blockage.

Excessive amounts of fat in the stool. Sometimes this can appear as an oil slick on top of the toilet water after the patient has had a bowel movement. It can be a sign that the pancreas isn't functioning well.

A classification system that is used to describe the extent of disease. Clinicians use it to predict the likely survival of a patient.

A flat, scale-like cell. Although most pancreatic cancers look like ducts under the microscope, a small fraction look like squamous cells.

A maroon colored, rounded organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, near the tail of the pancreas. This organ is part of your immune system and filters the lymph and blood in your body. It is often removed during the distal pancreatectomy surgical procedure.

A long (20 foot) tube that stretches from the stomach to the large intestine. It helps absorb nutrients from food as the food is transported to the large intestine. There are three sections: the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. Due to its proximity to the pancreas, the duodenum is the section of the small intestine most often affected by pancreatic cancer.

An infection of the blood. This can be life-threatening and is often treated with antibiotics.

A malignant tumor that looks like connective tissues (bone, cartilage, muscle)under the microscope. Sarcomas are extremely rare in the pancreas.

Able to be removed surgically. Usually this means that the cancer is confined to areas typically removed surgically.

The use of high-energy waves similar to x-rays to treat a cancer. Radiation therapy is usually used to treat a local area of disease and often is given in combination with chemotherapy.

A thick ring of muscle (a sphincter) between the stomach and duodenum. This sphincter helps control the release of the stomach contents into the small intestine.

A forecast for the probable outcome of a disease based on the experience of large numbers of other patients with similar stage disease. Importantly, making a prognosis is not an exact science. Some patients with poor prognosis beat the odds and live longer than anyone would have predicted. Steve Dunn's Cancer Guide has an excellent article on statistics and prognoses and stories of other cancer patients.

A cancer in the organ where it started in. A primary cancer of the pancreas is one that started in the pancreas as opposed to a cancer that started somewhere else and only later spread to the pancreas.

The biochemical study of plants; concerned with the identification, biosynthesis, metabolism of chemical constituents of plants; especially in regards to natural products.

Around the ampulla of Vater in the duodenum. The peri-ampullary region is comprised of 4 structures; the ampulla, the duodenum, the bile duct and the head of the pancreas. It is sometimes difficult to tell which structure a tumor originated in. In such cases the diagnosis will be a peri-ampullary tumor.

A medical doctor specially trained to study disease processes. Pathologists make the microscopic diagnosis that is used to establish the diagnosis of cancer.

A term used to describe certain tumors which grow in finger-like projections. Pathologists use this term to describe some precancerous lesions in the pancreas (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm).

Any treatment that reduces the severity of a disease or its symptoms. Palliative care is often a part of the treatment plan for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

An oblong organ located between the stomach and the spine. The pancreas secretes enzymes needed for the digestion of food and it produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon which help control blood sugar.

A surgically created opening in an organ that can also be referred to as an anastamosis. Sometimes when surgeons remove a segment of bowel they create an ostomy to allow for the bowel contents to exit the body.

A medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of tumors. Oncologists often treat patients with pancreatic cancer with chemotherapy.

An abnormal new growth of tissue that grows more rapidly than normal cells and will continue to grow if not treated. These growths will compete with normal cells for nutrients. This is a general term that can refer to benign or malignant growths. It is a synonym for the word tumor.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy that is given to patients before surgery. Some centers feel that the use of neoadjuvant therapy improves local and regional control of disease and that it may make more patients surgical candidates.

The thin section of the pancreas between the head and the body of the gland.

An alteration in the DNA of a cell. Think of it as a typographically error in the DNA code.

A cancer that has spread from one organ to another. Pancreas cancer most frequently metastasizes to the liver. In general, cancers that have metastasized are generally not treated surgically, but instead are treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

A cancer that has the potential of invading nearby tissues, spreading to other organs (metastasizing) and possibly leading to the patient's death.

A painless method for visualizing internal organs. A tube-like machine with a powerful magnet generates images of the inside of the body. It does not involve the use of Xrays.

Normal, round, raisin to grape-sized collections of lymphocytes (white blood cells) found throughout the body. Lymph nodes are connected to each other by lymphatic vessels. They normally help fight infection, but also are one of the first sites to which cancers spread. In general, the spread of cancer to lymph nodes portends a worse prognosis for the patient. There are exceptions to this.

A primary pancreatic cancer that has spread to regional lymph nodes and/or resectable (removable) tissues. Removable tissues include some lymph nodes and parts of the duodenum and stomach that are routinely removed in some surgical treatments for pancreatic cancer.

The largest organ in the body, located in the right upper part of the abdomen. It performs many life-maintaining functions including the production of bile. The liver detoxifies the blood of drugs, alcohol and other harmful chemicals. It processes nutrients absorbed by the intestine and stores essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Bilirubin is a chemical produced when old or damaged blood cells breakdown. The liver chemically process the bilirubin so that it can dissolve in water and be excreted through the urine. When this process is disrupted, jaundice can develop.

A technique that surgeons can use to visualize and even biopsy (take tissue samples of) organs inside of the abdomen without making large incisions. Very small incisions are made in the belly and small tubes (called trocars) are then inserted. Gas is pumped in through one of the tubes to create enough space to work in. The surgeon inserts a small camera through one of the tubes and examines the lining and contents of the abdominal cavity by looking at the projected image on the television screen. With specially designed laparascopic instruments, biopsies and fluid samples can be taken for examination. Some surgeons feel that this technique can help "stage" a patient less invasively than with open surgery.

Yellowing of the skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes caused by the accumulation of bile pigments (usually due to an obstruction of the bile ducts).

A hormone produced by the endocrine cells of the islets of Langerhans cells of the pancreas. Insulin acts to lower blood sugar levels.

A term used to indicate that cancerous cells are present in the duct but have not yet invaded deeper tissues.

The widest part of the pancreas. It is found in the right part of abdomen, nestled in the curve of the duodenum, which forms an impression in the side of the pancreas.

A hormone produced by the endocrine (islets of Langerhans) cells of the pancreas. When blood sugar levels are low, glucagon acts to raise blood sugar levels.

Gemzar is the trade name for the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. It is frequently used to treat pancreatic cancer. It has been shown, in controlled clinical trials, to improve quality of life.

A green pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the abdomen just under the liver. The gallbladder is essentially a reservoir for holding bile.

A chemotherapeutic drug commonly used to treat pancreatic cancer.

The exocrine cells (acinar cells) of the pancreas produce and transport chemicals that will exit the body through the digestive system.

The chemicals that the exocrine cells produce are called enzymes. They are secreted in the duodenum where they assist in the digestion of food.

A test used to visualize and examine the pancreas and bile ducts. A tube is inserted through a patient's nose (or throat), down through the esophagus and stomach then into the small intestine (duodenum). There, a small probe is inserted into the ampulla of Vater. A dye is injected through the probe and into the pancreatic and bile ducts. X-rays are then taken to visualize the pancreatic and bile ducts. these ducts can be seen as white structures (this is because the injected dye is opaque). Because pancreas cancers often block the pancreatic and/or bile ducts, this technique can be useful in establishing a diagnosis of pancreas cancer.

A chemical that causes a reaction in other substances, in this case as a part of the digestive process.

A medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of hormonal abnormalities.

These are specialized cells that produce hormones released into the bloodstream. For example, the islets of Langerhans are endocrine cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin. This hormone helps control blood sugar(glucose) levels.

Some rare tumors of the pancreas, the endocrine (Islet Cell) tumors, can produce these same hormones. It is very important that these rare tumors be properly diagnosed because it will determine the treatment and prognosis.

Surgical removal of a structure or part of a structure. For example, pancreatectomy is the surgical removal of the pancreas (or a portion of it).

The first portion of the small intestine. It is about 1 foot long. It is the part of the intestinal track that comes after the stomach.

A small anatomic structure. This is essentially a tube that carries various bodily fluids. The pancreatic duct runs the full length of the pancreas and drains into the duodenum.

The chemical in every cell that carries genetic information.

A dome shaped muscle that separates the lungs and heart from the abdomen. This muscle assists in breathing.

The disease in which the body is unable to appropriately control blood sugar (glucose) levels. This may be caused by failure of the pancreas to produce adequate amounts of insulin.

A fluid filled sac. Some tumors of the pancreas, including the serous cystadenomas and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, form cysts. Cysts have a distinct appearance in CT scans. They are important to recognize because the treatment of cystic tumors can differ from that for solid tumors.

A dye, taken by mouth or injected, that is sometimes used during x-ray examinations to highlight areas that otherwise might not be seen.

A way to image internal organs. A series of x-ray pictures taken by a machine that encircles the body like a giant tube. Computers are then used to generate cross-sectional images of the inside of the body.

The treatment of a cancer by chemicals. For pancreatic cancer these include: Gemzar (Gemcitabine), 5-flurouracil, leukovorin, taxol, and others.

A small, flexible tube inserted into the body to inject or suck out fluids.

A cancer-causing chemical. Cigarette smoke contains a number of carcinogens.

A malignant tumor. It has the potential of invading into the adjacent tissues, spreading to other organs and may eventually lead to the patient's death.

A dramatic weight loss and general wasting that occurs during chronic disease.

A blood marker for pancreas cancer. It is not a good screening test for diagnosing possible pancreas cancers in individuals without symptoms. Instead, it can be useful in following the progress of patients known to have a cancer by measuring how their cancer is responding to treatment.

The middle part of the pancreas between the neck and the tail. The superior mesenteric blood vessels run behind this part of the gland.

The removal and microscopic examination of a small tissue sample.

A duct that carries bile from the liver to the intestine. This term may refer to the hepatic, cystic or common bile duct.

A green fluid produced by the liver that helps digest fats. It is transported from the liver to the duodenum by the bile duct. When the flow of bile is blocked, patients may become jaundiced (yellow skinned).

Tumors which are non-cancerous. These generally grow slowly and do not invade adjacent organs or spread (metastasize) beyond the pancreas.

The collection of excess amounts of fluid in the abdominal cavity (belly). It often is a sign that the cancer has spread to either the liver or to the portal vein that goes to the liver, or that the cancer involves the internal lining of the abdomen. If normal liver function is affected, a complex set of biochemical checks and balances is disrupted and abnormal amounts of fluid are retained.

The large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart. From the heart it arches backwards and descends into the abdomen where it gives off many branches to supply the organs. The superior mesenteric artery is a major branch of the aorta that can be involved by pancreatic cancer.

A radiographic technique used to visualize blood vessels. A contrast medium (a dye) is usually injected into the vessels to make them appear white on the x-rays.

A condition marked by a diminished apetite and aversion to food. Often results in physical signs of wasting.

A condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue among other symptoms.

A surgical joining of two hollow structures. It is similar to attaching two ends of a garden hose. For example, a gastrojejunostomy is a surgical procedure that connects the stomach and the jejunum (small intestine.)

This widening of the pancreatic duct as it reaches the duodenum is an landmark for physicians. It is where the bile duct and pancreatic duct join before draining into the duodenum (small intestine). Tumors in the head of the pancreas may squeeze this duct partially or completely closed. This can lead to problems with digestion and jaundice.

Chemotherapy given to patients after their cancers have been surgically removed. It is a secondary treatment given to supplement surgical treatment. (see Neoadjuvant chemotherapy which is chemotherapy given before surgery)

A benign (non-cancerous) tumor made up of cells that form glands (collections of cells surrounding an empty space).

The form of cancer that most people are talking about when they refer to "cancer of the pancreas." These tumors account for 75% of all pancreas cancers.

Microscopically, adenocarcinomas form glands. These tumors can grow large enough to invade nerves which can cause back pain. They also frequently spread (metastasize) to the liver or lymph nodes. If this happens the tumor may be considered unresectable.

A pus-filled cavity. Usually caused by an infection.

The portion of the body between the diaphragm and the pelvis.