Pancreatic Cancer Treatment at the University of Colorado Cancer Center
The pancreas is pear-shaped gland that lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine. The wider end is called the head, the middle is called the body and the narrow end is called the tail. The pancreas produces digestive juices that helps digest food and produces hormones (insulin and glucagon) that control blood sugar levels and help the body use and store the energy it gets from food.
There are two kinds of pancreatic cancers:
- About 95% of pancreatic cancer begins in the exocrine cells that make digestive juices. The American Cancer Society predicts that, in 2007, about 37,170 people in the United States will be found to have pancreatic cancer of this type.
- Islet Cell Tumors, or endocrine pancreas cancers, are rare. You’ll find more information about those types of tumors here
We Specialize in Pancreatic Cancer
There are more than 100 different types of cancer. To ensure that we are always leading care at the cutting edge, UCCC has expert teams that each specialize in a small number of different cancer types. Because we are sub-specialized in cancers of the gastrointestinal system, we have treated the most common and the rarest types of cancer.
We’re the Region’s Only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of Colorado Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Rocky Mountain Region-and one of only 39 in the United States.
- This designation means that we are recognized as leaders in providing outstanding cancer care and cancer-related education, and in driving new research
- No other cancer center in the region offers the expertise we do
We’re One of the Nation’s Best Cancer Centers
U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked the University of Colorado Cancer Center’s adult patient care center at University of Colorado Hospital among the best cancer programs in the nation.
- In 2007, we ranked 35th overall and among the ten best in the West
- 5280 Magazine consistently votes our cancer doctors among the best in Colorado
- We have more cancer doctors listed among Best Doctors in America than any other cancer center in the region