Metastatic pancreatic cancer and multidisciplinary care

The pancreas is a large organ located behind the stomach. This organ’s main functions are to produce enzymes that the body needs for digestion, and to make hormones like insulin and glucagon, which the body needs to use and balance blood sugars.

Metastatic pancreatic cancer is cancer that began in the pancreas but has spread to other areas of the body. Metastatic pancreatic cancer can spread to nearby lymph nodes, the liver, and other tissues in the abdomen. It can also spread to the lungs, bones, and brain. Identifying where pancreatic cancer has metastasized to is important when deciding how to approach treatment.

Every person’s treatment plan will be a bit different. Because metastatic cancer has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be removed with surgery, the primary treatments are systemic therapies, or cancer therapies that are able to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is the main treatment, and a person may be prescribed one drug or several drugs that are taken in combination with one another. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy are also used.

While systemic therapies will be the main treatment, radiation and surgical procedures may be used to relieve specific symptoms caused by the cancer.

Multidisciplinary care

People who are living with metastatic pancreatic cancer will work with a team of healthcare providers with different specialties. The term for this approach to treatment is multidisciplinary care. A multidisciplinary team may include:

Oncologists

Treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer is typically overseen by an oncologist. An oncologist is a medical doctor that specializes in the treatment of cancer. There are different types of oncologists that specialize in different approaches to treating cancer. A person may work with several oncologists depending on what types of treatment they need:

• Medical oncologists, who specialize in treating cancer with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other systemic therapies.
• A surgical oncologist, if a tumor can be removed by surgery.
• A radiation oncologist, if treatment requires radiation therapy.

Gastroenterologist

A gastroenterologist is a medical doctor that specializes in treating diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. In many cases, a person with pancreatic cancer will consult with a gastroenterologist during diagnosis. A gastroenterologist can also play a role in treatment, helping to manage symptoms and health issues caused by the cancer.

Internist

Internists are medical doctors that specialize in internal medicine, which can include routine healthcare and managing chronic health conditions. In many cases, an internist will be the first provider a person sees when they are experiencing the initial symptoms of pancreatic cancer. An internist can play a continued role in treatment, providing supportive care, coordinating with other healthcare providers, and managing symptoms and treatment side effects.

Oncology social worker

Oncology social workers are professionals who work with people living with cancer and their loved ones. An oncology social worker can help a person work through the numerous practical and emotional challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. This can include local support services, counseling, and navigating the healthcare system.

These are not the only healthcare providers a person with metastatic pancreatic cancer may work with. Other team members can include pain specialists, registered dietitians, mental health professionals, oncology nurses, and nurse practitioners.