Pancreatic Cancer

Comprehensive evaluation with accurate diagnosis is the foundation for achieving successful outcomes. That’s why it’s important to seek care from a center that provides academic level care from a multidisciplinary, specialized team of hepatobiliary and pancreatic experts experienced in the accurate diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, as well as other complex gastrointestinal diseases.

Beginning with a thorough evaluation that includes a comprehensive physical exam, personal medical history review and state-of-the-art diagnostic workup, Hoag’s multidisciplinary team of board-certified, fellowship trained pancreatic experts carefully evaluate and pinpoint the nature of the cancer, so the most appropriate personalized treatment options can be employed.

Hoag’s state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies provide our team with the latest modalities in the accurate diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and other disorders. Some of the progressive imaging studies that may be utilized include:

• Volume Rendering Computed Tomography (CT) is the most recent advance in CT technology. Only a few centers in Southern California have this technology, which creates highly accurate 3-D scans of the pancreas. This enables physicians to properly stage the cancer and determine whether the tumor is resectable.

• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) uses an ultrasound device to make images of your pancreas from inside your abdomen. The physician may also collect a sample of cells (biopsy) during EUS.

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) uses a dye to highlight the bile ducts in the pancreas, so that an accurate image of the bile duct and pancreatic duct may be obtained. This study is performed to rule out certain diseases of the pancreas and the bile duct. The physician may also insert small tubes (called stents) into the bile duct or the pancreatic duct, if they are obstructed, to relieve the obstruction. Additionally, a tissue sample (biopsy) may be collected during ERCP.

• MRCP is a modified MRI that utilizes specialized software to obtain a composite image of the pancreatic duct and the bile duct from the digital MRI images. This study provides similar information to an ERCP. However, as a diagnostic study, MRCP study is preferred to ERCP since this procedure is not invasive.

• Tumor Markers are used to determine whether certain substances are being released into the blood. Tumor markers are often obtained to assess the probability of a cancer in a patient who has a lesion. While high tumor markers may indicate cancer, they are not definitive since non-cancerous conditions of the pancreas and liver can falsely elevate these tumor markers.

• Diagnostic Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine internal organs by direct visualization. Small incisions are made in the abdominal wall, and a thin, lighted tube called a laparoscope is inserted. This procedure allows the surgeon to evaluate whether the cancer has spread outside of the pancreas prior to performing surgery. This is an important part of planning for surgery.

• Biopsy is the removal of a sample of tissue for testing. This procedure is performed to definitively diagnose pancreatic cancer, and may involve other methods outside of laparoscopic biopsy, such as endoscopic ultrasound or fine-needle aspiration.

It’s important to note that proper diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer is critical to developing a successful treatment plan. That’s why it’s so important to seek proper evaluation and treatment from a healthcare expert experienced in the most advanced pancreatic cancer care.

Innovative Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer

When it comes to pancreatic cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases, Hoag Family Cancer Institute provides a full array of progressive treatment options. As a recognized leader and high-volume provider of innovative gastrointestinal care, Hoag’s multidisciplinary team of digestive disease experts performs some of the most advanced gastrointestinal procedures available in the nation with clinical outcomes that rival national figures.

Expert Care You Can Trust

Hoag Family Cancer Institute provides state-of-the-art, compassionate pancreatic cancer care. Hoag’s committed to accurate diagnosis, combined with progressive therapeutic options enables Hoag patients to achieve some of the highest clinical outcomes in the nation.

To schedule a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, or a second-opinion consultation with a Hoag pancreatic cancer expert, call us at 949-764-5350.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. In 2025, there were 67,440 new diagnoses and 51,980 deaths. Early disease detection can improve survival rates.

Pancreatic cancer is considered to be an uncommon cancer. The average person only has a 1.6% lifetime risk of developing it, but if someone has a significant family history of pancreatic cancer or a known mutation in a pancreatic cancer susceptibility gene, their risk is likely higher.

As the first in Southern California and one of only a few centers in the U.S., Hoag Family Cancer Institute offers an early detection program to assess individuals at higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this program is to improve the outcomes for individuals at risk for pancreatic cancer, working to detect early-stage cancer through labs, imaging, and diagnostic testing. As part of the program, individuals will have the option of submitting their de-identified information to be part of a registry, shared by similar organizations in the nation (https://precedestudy.org/). This database will help future clinicians to better understand this complex disease and how to effectively treat and manage it.

Hoag’s Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Clinic is led by a multidisciplinary team of specialists including a nurse practitioner, genetic counselors, gastroenterologists and pancreatic surgeons. Together, this team supports all aspects of care, collaborating with other physician specialists, to ensure an individual’s risk is accurately assessed and managed.

Do I qualify?

Since pancreatic cancer is a rare cancer, Hoag’s PCDC aims to enroll and screen those at increased risk for pancreatic cancer at this time. This includes individuals with a strong family history of pancreatic cancer, or those with mutations in certain genes. Patients eligible for this program are those with confirmed germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in a pancreatic cancer gene (e.g. ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, PALB2, STK11, etc.). Individuals with variants of unknown/uncertain significance in these genes do not qualify. Individuals can also qualify for Hoag’s PCDC based on family history (no gene mutation required) in any of the following ways:

• 1 first degree relative with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) diagnosed at or before age 45

• 2 relatives (any relation) on the same side of the family with PDAC diagnosed at any age

Screening in this program begins at age 50 unless the individual has a CDKN2A mutation (start at age 40), a STK11 mutation (start at age 35), or has a relative who was diagnosed with PDAC at a young age (start 10 years younger than the earliest PDAC in the family). Individuals younger than 50 who do not meet these exceptions do not qualify at this time but will qualify at age 50.

What happens in the program?

The clinic runs at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute in Newport Beach. Someone enrolled in the program can expect annual office visits with our nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner will enter appropriate orders (blood work, abdominal MRI, endoscopic ultrasound, etc.) for the individual to complete after the visit. The individual will also meet with a genetic counselor during their office visit every other year to review their family history and any new genetic information.

If you have any questions, would like to determine whether or not you are eligible, or want to schedule an initial appointment, please contact the Hoag’s Pancreatic Cancer Detection Clinic at 949-764-7475.

Hoag is committed to leading the way in state-of-the-art technologies and advanced treatment options. Part of this commitment includes clinical research with the goal of helping patients live longer, healthier lives. Through carefully planned clinical trials, researchers evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases or conditions. Treatments studied in clinical trials might be new drugs or new combinations of drugs, new surgical procedures or devices, or new ways to use existing treatments. View clinical trials for pancreatic cancer here.

Hoag’s Precision Medicine Program combines genomics and genetics to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Using the latest advances in genomic technologies, targeted therapies and research, our precision medicine program brings together a multidisciplinary team, including a robust genetic counseling group of experts, to provide patients with the latest in innovation and technology.

Meet the Precision Medicine Team.

Hoag’s Molecular Imaging & Therapy (MIT) Program has been recognized as one of only 95 Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Centers of Excellence in the world. Through this program, Hoag is helping pioneer the most sensitive imaging methods to date to advance research and applications of molecular imaging and therapy in the treatment of cancer patients. These trials are expected to play a significant role in cancer detection, individualized treatment and drug development. The future of cancer detection and therapy is offered today at Hoag.

Learn more and meet the team.

Hoag Family Cancer Institute provides a dedicated team of genetic counselors that offer hereditary cancer assessment, offering risk assessment and genetic cancer testing to those with a personal or family history of cancer.

Learn more and meet the team.

Being diagnosed with cancer can feel overwhelming at times. Many patients and their families need help with coping and can benefit from supportive counseling. Oncology Clinical Social Workers are available to provide emotional and practical support during all stages of cancer including diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment survivorship.

Find out more and meet our team.

Hoag Family Cancer Institute dietitians work closely with patients’ physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers to ensure complete care.

Find out more and meet our team.