Pancreatic Cancer Care
We support a multi-dimensional approach to cancer research and diagnosis and to the education of patients and health care professionals.
Cancers of the pancreas are responsible for approximately 50,000 deaths in the United States yearly. These cancers could be curable if diagnosed early, and if innovative treatments are used. We are dedicated to developing more accurate methods of early diagnosis and curative treatment of pancreatic cancers.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Our faculty helped developed, and are engaged in a multidisciplinary surveillance program for the early detection of pancreatic cancer and its precursors in patients with familial predispositions. UW GI faculty have also uncovered potential molecular precursors that promote the development of pancreatic cancer in individuals with a familial risk and are exploring the use of therapeutic ultrasound to enhance the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to pancreatic tumors while minimizing off-target effects.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a center of excellence for clinical care and research advances for patients and their families with pancreatic cancer through a state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, treatment, research, and prevention of pancreatic cancer.
Our specific aims are:
- To provide state-of-the-art research and treatment for pancreatic cancer and its pre-cancerous precursors.
- To approach the patient comprehensively using a multidisciplinary team of specialists who will assess risk, current disease status, and appropriate therapeutic interventions and carry them out.
- To develop innovative methods for earlier diagnosis of cancer at a stage when it is still curable.
- To develop a supportive counseling program for family members of patients with pancreatic cancer to assess their risks and advise them on appropriate diagnostic procedures and treatment options.
- To perform population-based research to better understand the causes of pancreatic cancer and to develop effective intervention strategies.
- To expand our training program to disseminate the skills and knowledge developed at the Center.