surgeons at work

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is hard to treat. Once you have it, surgery is the only cure, but only for 10-15% of patients.

That's why we're not just trying to find better treatments. We've become an international leader in catching pancreatic cancer before it strikes.

Pancreatic Cancer Experts

Our surgical team has some of the best outcomes in the country. You'll get care from surgeons, nurses, GI specialists, cancer experts, radiologists and genetic counselors. All of us have specialized training in dealing with pancreatic cysts and tumors. We work together to give you the best care and most advanced options possible.

Types of Pancreas Surgery

We offer the most advanced surgical options for patients at all stages of disease. This includes treating painful pancreatic cysts.

Surgery for cancer of the pancreas at UVA includes:

  • The Whipple procedure

  • Distal pancreatectomy, which removes the body and tail of the pancreas

  • Splenectomy, or spleen removal 

  • Total pancreatectomy, or removal of the entire pancreas

Pancreatic Surgery Clinic
Emily Couric Cancer Center exterior

If you need surgery to remove part of all of your pancreas, we have the latest tools and top experts. We're aim to give you your best chance of getting past pancreatic cancer.

Visit the Pancreatic Cancer Clinic
Pancreatic Cyst Clinic
UVA Pancreatic Cancer Physicians discussing image

We have one of the first programs in the country for the detection and treatment of pancreatic cysts. Though often benign, cysts can increase your risk for developing cancer.

Visit the Pancreatic Cyst Clinic
High-Risk Clinic
UVA Pancreatic Cancer Physician pointing at image

Finding pancreatic cancer early increases your chance of survival. We use biomarkers and screening tools so we can identify people with high risk.

Visit the High-Risk Clinic

Catching Cancer as Early as We Can

Pancreatic cancer symptoms usually don't show up until the disease has spread to other parts of the body. By then, it's too late for most treatments. We're researching ways to catch pancreatic cancer early. We're working to give patients the best chance for survival. Research efforts include:

  • Developing a test that could identify precancerous pancreatic cells
  • Discovering a biomarker in blood that finds pancreatic tumors over 90% of the time
Make an Appointment
1.434.924.9333