Our mission is to provide the most advanced services and resources to treat pancreatic cancer while supporting your physical and emotional well-being. Guided by our respect for diversity and inclusivity, we pursue innovative research that can help people with pancreatic cancer enjoy better, longer lives.
You can learn more about the CPCR at www.mskcc.org/research-programs/pancreatic-research.
A care team of experts
Your care team will design a treatment program that’s best for you. It is based on your diagnosis, general health, and other information, such as genetic information about your tumor. Depending on your personal needs, these are treatment options:
- Surgery is a complex procedure that may be right for tumors that are only in the pancreas and can be removed safely and completely. We design the best plan of care by working with other specialties such as medical oncology, radiology and radiation oncology. This combined expertise delivers the best outcomes for your cancer.
- Chemotherapy uses either current (standard) drugs, or new drugs through our clinical trials program. We will give you the most effective treatment possible while aiming to preserve your quality of life. MSK’s medical oncologists are experts in chemotherapy and will create a plan for you.
- Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to treat your pancreas.
Clinical trials
Research studies, or clinical trials, test new treatments or procedures to see how well they work. Almost every cancer treatment was first tested in a clinical trial. We are leaders in research and developing new treatments and therapies.
Please ask us about how you can join clinical trials.
Your care team
This team works with your doctor during your treatment. You can find their names and contact numbers in your Clinic Guideline.
Our office practice nurse, nurse practitioner, and clinical trials nurse deliver compassionate and expert care. They work together with your doctors and other healthcare providers.
Office coordinators are your skilled front-line contacts. They’re responsible for answering the phone and making sure your questions get to your doctor and care team. They will help you make appointments and coordinate the administrative part of your care plan.
Care coordinators greet you and coordinate any activities that your health providers have ordered for your clinic visit. This can include an imaging study or a blood draw.
Resources
Clinical Genetics: Genetic counselors can work with your healthcare team to help you understand your tumor’s genetic information and what it means for you and your family.
Integrative Medicine: The Integrative Medicine care team can suggest natural treatments such as acupuncture, massage, and yoga that are coordinated with your treatment plan.
Nutrition: A dietitian can help you with a diet based on your personal symptoms and treatment.
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: A psychiatrist, psychologist, or neuropsychologist can help you with depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
Sexual health: Doctors, nurses, social workers, and psychologists who are experts in sexual health can talk to you about your concerns.
Social workers can help you and your family with practical information related to care at MSK. This includes community resources, other services (such as transportation to MSK), and home care. They also provide emotional support to you, your family, and caregivers.
Support groups: Patients and caregivers can sign up for live online support groups that meet your needs at www.mskcc.org/vp
Please call your doctor with any questions or email us at [email protected].
The David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Welcome to the clinic
Here’s a quick introduction to the teams dedicated to giving you the best care possible.
Your care team
Doctors who are specialists in:
- Gastroenterology
- Interventional radiology
- Medical oncology
- Radiation oncology
- Surgery
These are the nurses who may support you:
- A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice provider who provides care and prescribes medications.
- An office practice nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who explains your treatment and manages your symptoms.
- A clinical trials nurse is an RN who cares for patients in a clinical trial.
Your resource team
Your team may include experts from these MSK services:
- Counseling Center
- Integrative Medicine
- Nutrition
- Social Work
- Clinic coordinators
- Office coordinators