Pancreatic cancer is relatively rare, accounting for 3 percent of all cancers in the United States. But due to lack of symptoms in the early stages and non-specific symptoms such as unexplained weight loss and lack of appetite in late stages, it has a poor prognosis and accounts for about 7 percent of all cancer deaths.

Wisconsin Public Radio hosted a show for pancreatic cancer awareness month with Noelle LoConte, MD (pictured at upper right), associate professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care and Michael Bassetti, MD, PhD (not pictured), assistant professor (CHS), Department of Human Oncology.

"It's not a cancer we screen for currently. [By the time] patients have symptoms, it can be fairly advanced," said Dr. LoConte.

Even those patients who undergo surgery are not cured in the majority of cases, explained Dr. Bassetti.

The discussion included an overview of treatments that are available for pancreatic cancer and the latest research.

Resources:

• "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness," Wisconsin Public Radio, October 26, 2017

Image caption: Illustration of cancerous cells forming a lump in pancreatic tissue. Licensed under CC-SA 4.0