The program begins with Dr. Salem’s patient, Eva. Like most cancers are found, Eva was being screened for another condition when doctors discovered many tumors on her liver, carcinoid tumors. She was referred to Dr. Salem at Northwestern and is now being treated with a new targeted therapy, appropriate for this type of cancer. Listen to hear how Eva is doing now and her thoughts on the care she is receiving at Northwestern.

Dr. Salem helps listeners to understand what neuroendocrine tumors are, where they are found and the latest treatments. He speaks extensively about targeted therapy and the use of microspheres to treat these types of tumors. Dr. Salem answers a wide range of listener questions and also discusses the future of treatment for neuroendocrine cancers. He talks about the major advances being made through research, and his team at Northwestern. To quote Dr. Salem, “All of this is something that we take very seriously because this is our job, our duty, to really facilitate things for patients. And, absolutely, I take tremendous pride in the team that we have built here at Northwestern.”

Dr. Kirkwood begins by talking about tools used to diagnosis pancreatic cancer, such as blood tests, PET and CT scans, and other imaging devices. She then goes into a deeper discussion of increasing survival rates through early detection and treatment. Dr. Kirkwood speaks about treatments, including surgical techniques, like the whipple procedure, that are showing promise. She also talks about the team approach to treatment - partnering with other specialists in the community to treat patients and return them to their lifestyle post-recovery.

Dr. Kirkwood closes the discussion with optimism. She discusses UCSF as a research institution and the advances being made there that give her so much hope. To quote Dr. Kirkwood “I think the next ten years are going to be a new era for pancreatic cancer. We’ve learned a lot from the advances in breast cancer and colon cancer therapy in the last decade, and I think this will be the decade in which we apply that knowledge to pancreatic cancer. I expect that our cure rates will improve dramatically in the next decade.”

Jeffrey Ross, 6 year survivor and active PanCAN volunteer joins Dr. Hingorani to share his story. Jeffrey was always physical and proactive about his health. One day, while working, his tool belt hit him in the abdomen and caused serious pain, so severe, he knew something was very wrong. He immediately called his general practitioner and scheduled an appointment for the next day. A blood test from that appointment revealed his organs were not functioning correctly. In July of 2003, Jeff not only received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he also underwent the Whipple procedure. Miraculously, he is doing well and offers this advice patients who might being going through something similar: “When you are up against something deadly that is potentially going to take you out, you need to manage your own healthcare. You need to have someone with you at every single appointment, the first time someone tells you you have cancer, you will not hear another word the doctor says.”

Hear more from Dr. Hingorani about smart treatment approaches for a disease plaguing over 40,000 people a year. Why is this disease so difficult to diagnose? What are the options? Will a multi-disciplinary team help? Find out from an expert and inspiring patient in this informative Patient Power program.

Dr. Hingorani begins by talking about the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. He speaks about the difficulty in diagnosis because pancreatic cancer symptoms tend to be vague and go easily unnoticed. Dr. Hingorani talks about treatment of this type of cancer, specifically through a surgery called the Whipple Procedure. He goes on to talk about the prospects of long-term survival and chemotherapy after surgery.

Dr. Hingorani shares information about the risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer, and touches on the familial connection. If you have recently heard about this type of cancer in the news, this program provides an expert perspective into the media attention.

The program begins with Eric telling his story of a colon cancer diagnosis in his late 40s. He talks about the symptoms he was experiencing, and how a colonoscopy found a tumor the size of a peach. Eric details his treatment which included a colon resection, radiofrequency ablation and post-operative chemo, among others. He has maintained a positive attitude throughout treatment and speaks highly of his care at Northwestern. He maintains good communication with his doctors and works with them to make treatment decisions.

Pancreatic survivor, Linda, also tells her story of being diagnosed shortly after a friend passed away from the same condition only weeks earlier. She talks about her symptoms and her first bouts of treatment in clinical trials at Northwestern. Because of the nature of her tumor, doctors had to first shrink the tumor with radiation prior to performing surgery. After much treatment and observation, her doctors performed the Whipple procedure. Hear about Linda’s recovery and how she’s leading a much healthier lifestyle today.

Dr. Mahvi goes into detail discussing the intricacies of both Eric and Linda’s case. He talks about the delicate nature of each of their conditions, and their specific surgical and drug therapies. Dr. Mahvi also provides an in-depth explanation of surgical procedures, including the relationship of surgical outcomes to the volume of surgeries performed. You’ll also hear about post-surgery therapies and who should receive them. If you are searching for in-depth information on treatment of colon and pancreatic cancer, this program can provide you with a wealth of information.

Pancreatic cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, but there are people who survive for extended periods of time, living a high-quality life. In this interview, you’ll meet one of those people, Mary, who was diagnosed in 2001 and was quickly referred to M. D. Anderson. Hear Mary’s inspiring account of being diagnosed, choosing treatment and how she partnered with her doctors to get the best care.

Dr. Wolff talks about the benefits of surgery, and when surgery should be performed. The Whipple Procedure is often used when treating pancreatic cancer, and Dr. Wolff helps us understand exactly what the procedure is and what to expect if you are preparing for one yourself. He details the treatments combined with surgery, such as chemotherapy, and how this course of treatment is determined. He also speaks about the team approach to care at M. D. Anderson as well as the progress that is being made in research. Dr. Evans joins the discussion to talk about the importance of medical oncologists and surgical oncologists working together as well as the long-term prognosis of advancements in pancreatic cancer.

If you’re looking for support or answers about pancreatic cancer care, this program is sure to provide you with information you seek.