

(QOPI®) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology - Learn More
PVCS was the first practice to be certified by QOPI in Arizona
A cancer diagnosis can be one of life’s most challenging experiences, but with the right cancer treatment team, there’s always hope. At Palo Verde Cancer Specialists, we offer cutting-edge radiation therapy and other cancer treatments from a network of 6 state-of-the-art cancer clinics throughout greater Phoenix, AZ, and our treatment team works closely with patients to make treatment fit into your lifestyle. We treat a wide variety of cancerous conditions at our cancer centers, and if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we can help.
The pancreas is a small, fish-shaped organ that sits behind the stomach, and it plays an important role in the digestive system. The pancreas creates and secretes a range of hormones and enzymes that help your body break down food and extract nutrients. Pancreatic cancer refers to any cancer that starts in the cells of the pancreas.
Pancreatic cancer affects more than 40,000 people every year in the US, which makes it one of the most common types of cancer. Unfortunately, it’s also very deadly: 5-year survival rates for Stage I pancreatic cancer are around 14%, while 5-year survival rates for Stage IV pancreatic cancer stand at just 1%. That said, even for people with the most severe form of pancreatic cancer, there’s hope – and high-quality radiation therapy, like the kind we provide at our Phoenix, AZ cancer treatment facilities, offers one of the best options for treating pancreatic cancer.
While there are many subtypes of pancreatic cancer depending on the type of cell affected, pancreatic cancer is divided into two general types: exocrine and endocrine (neuroendocrine) tumors. Exocrine tumors account for about 5% of all pancreatic cancer diagnoses, while endocrine tumors make up the remaining 5%. Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, died from a very rare form of endocrine pancreatic cancer. Tumors in the pancreas aren’t always cancerous – they may be completely benign, or they may be a form of precancer, which is a benign tumor that carries a risk of developing into cancer.
As with most forms of cancer, the earlier that we can detect and treat pancreatic cancer, the better the chances of recovery. So how can you tell if you’re at risk? While pancreatic cancer often doesn’t produce symptoms until late in its development, any of the following symptoms may be a sign of pancreatic cancer:
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious of all cancer diagnoses, and beating it requires a world-class team – and that’s where we come in. We’re proud to offer cutting-edge treatments for pancreatic cancer that prioritize recovery while preserving your lifestyle, and no matter where you are in your cancer treatment journey, we can help. Don’t wait: take the first step and request a consultation online today. We look forward to hearing from you.