About the Pancreatic Cancer Center
If you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, our team at the Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic (PDMC) at Orlando Health Cancer Institute is ready to offer you comprehensive and compassionate care. Our world-class surgeons and medical oncologists are specialized in all types of pancreatic cancer so we can provide next-level diagnosis and treatment.
Our clinic – specifically designed for multi-disciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer patients at any stage – is the first of its kind in Central Florida. We understand that pancreatic cancer is an emergency that needs to be treated swiftly, and that’s why our multidisciplinary approach brings a wealth of expertise under one roof. This allows us to shorten the time it takes to get from diagnosis to treatment and delivers the care you need as soon as possible. Held weekly at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, the clinic provides diagnostic imaging, lab work and on-site consultations with oncologists, palliative care specialists, gastrointestinal experts, nutritionists, geneticists and social workers.
Our team collaborates to provide you with a thorough and accurate diagnosis. From there, we will work with you to design a customized care plan – ranging from observation to surgery – built around your unique needs.
Risk Factors
We still don’t know what causes pancreatic cancer, other than that it is related to changes in cellular DNA. It is unknown what triggers those changes. However, research points to various factors that can increase your risk. Some of these can be modified through diet and lifestyle changes, while others cannot. Risk factors include:
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Advanced age
About two-thirds of patients are at least 65 years old.
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Chronic pancreatitis
This chronic inflammation of the pancreas often is related to smoking and heavy alcohol use.
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Diabetes
The risk, for unknown reasons, is higher for people with type 2 diabetes.
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Family history of pancreatic cancer
The disease runs in some families, though most people who get it do not have a family history of pancreatic cancer.
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Inherited genetic disease
Certain genetic syndromes that are passed from parent to child are responsible for about 10 percent of cases. Among these are familial pancreatitis, Lynch syndrome, and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome.
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Obesity
People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more are 20 percent more likely to develop the disease.
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Smoking
Tobacco use is one of the strongest risk factors and may account for a quarter of all pancreatic cancers. Smokers are twice as likely to get it compared with people who have never smoked.
Meet the Pancreatic Cancer Center Team
Our nationally recognized physicians at the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Orlando Health Cancer Institute offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment options for pancreatic cancer.
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Clinical Trials
Orlando Health Cancer Institute participates in clinical trials, testing and evaluating the latest therapies, treatments, screening and diagnostic tools for pancreatic cancer.
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Diagnosis and Treatment
Orlando Health Cancer Institute’s multidisciplinary approach to treating prostate cancer offers you the best care possible.
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Resources
There are many types of pancreatic cancer, though they fall into two groups, based on the type of cell where they start.
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