How To Use This Site

Of course you can use this site in any manner which suits you, but we thought that we would offer our thoughts as what we had in mind in presenting the Pancreatica.org website in its current format.

• The Aim of the Site
• The Philosophy of the Site
• Who Should Use This Site
• Main Tools

The Aim of the Site

Our aim is to try and concentrate practical, impartial, understandable data about pancreatic cancer at this website, in such a way as to allow active patients, their caregivers and/or their physicians to sort through a large amount of information about pancreas cancer quickly. For example, we would hope that in a reasonably short time, visitors to this site can acquire access to information that might otherwise take weeks to find, if it otherwise is found at all.

The Philosophy of the Site

We understand that cancer of the pancreas is a serious deadly disease. We believe that taking an aggressive rational stand against pancreatic cancer, beginning at the earliest possible time, supported by the best possible medical team, and treated in the most appropriate manner gives the best odds for increased survival. We believe in strong patient-physician bonds. Although we understand the possible benefits of some alternative therapies, this site is not strongly oriented to alternative or complementary therapies. We are strongly oriented to scientifically-based clinical trials against pancreas cancer. We do not believe in false hope, but rather in the comfort that can come from knowing that everything that reasonably and rationally can be done, is being done. This approach is generally taken by meeting such a challenge head-on, armed with the best available information.

Who Should Use This Site

This site is aimed at anyone with a strong interest in information related to cancer of the pancreas. However, any decisions in regard to treating pancreatic cancer should be made strictly in conjunction with your personal physician.

Main Tools

The main tools of the site are:

Pancreatic Cancer Frequently Asked Questions
This section consists of our version of "answers" to very general pre-selected questions about pancreatic cancer. This task is not easy, as there are controversies in virtually every aspect of its related diagnosis and treatment. Also, information regarding such treatment is in a constant state of flux, with the results of new studies often challenging assumptions or pushing our understandings just a little further along.

Pancreatic Cancer Medical Literature
The Medical Literature section consists of full articles or abstracted summaries based on articles from medical journals, news articles, and medical abstracts.

Pancreatic Cancer Select Abstracts
Select highlights of recent findings in pancreatic cancer treatment and research presented monthly and which may include clinical trial results, research findings, cancer treatment studies and those addressing other issues which are of interest in cancer of the pancreas.

Pancreatic Cancer Neuroendocrine & Carcinoid Tumor
Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (islet cell tumors) are much less common than tumors arising from the exocrine pancreas. Reports often indicate that there are about two to three thousand cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year – although autopsy indicates that there may be a higher incidence of these islet cell tumors than are diagnosed.