Pancreatic cancer is challenging because it often causes few symptoms until it is advanced, and because the pancreas sits deep in the abdomen. Careful staging and prompt, expert planning matter greatly — and modern chemotherapy combinations and genetic testing have improved what is possible.

At Indian OncoCare, pancreatic cancer treatment is planned and supervised personally by Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh), Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology & Hemato-Oncology at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, working with hepatobiliary surgeons, radiation oncologists and pathologists as one team.

When to see a pancreatic cancer specialist

See a specialist promptly for:

Painless yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), or dark urine and pale stools
Persistent upper-abdominal or back pain
Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
New-onset diabetes without an obvious cause, especially with weight loss

Jaundice with weight loss in particular should be evaluated quickly.

How pancreatic cancer is diagnosed

Diagnosis usually involves a dedicated pancreatic-protocol CT scan, an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with biopsy, and the CA 19-9 tumour marker. Staging classifies the cancer as resectable, borderline resectable, locally advanced or metastatic — a distinction that decides whether surgery is possible and in what order treatment is given. Germline (inherited) genetic testing, including BRCA, is recommended, as it can open up specific treatment options.

Treatment options

Pancreatic cancer treatment is sequenced carefully:

Surgery — such as a Whipple procedure, offering the best chance of cure when the tumour is removable.
Chemotherapy — the backbone of treatment, given before and/or after surgery and as the main treatment in advanced disease.
Radiation therapy — used in selected cases, sometimes with chemotherapy.
Targeted therapy — including options for tumours with a BRCA mutation or other specific markers.

Because timing and sequence are critical, a specialist assessment before starting is particularly valuable in pancreatic cancer.

Why choose Indian OncoCare

Your plan is prepared and reviewed personally by Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh), delivered through Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, with surgery, radiation and medical oncology coordinated as one team. See our cancer services and the patient journey, and related pages for liver, stomach and colorectal cancer.

Support for patients and families

A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, and practical support matters as much as medical treatment. Our patient support resources help you prepare for consultations and understand each step, while our financial guidance can help you understand treatment costs and the insurance or assistance options that may be available.

You can find more guidance and checklists in our patient resources section. Patients travelling from outside Hyderabad or from abroad usually begin with an online consultation before continuing in person — see our international patients page for how this is coordinated.

Frequently asked questions

Is pancreatic cancer always inoperable?

No. When it is caught while still resectable or borderline, surgery combined with chemotherapy offers the best chance of cure. Staging decides whether and when surgery is possible.

Why is genetic testing recommended?

Because an inherited BRCA mutation can guide specific chemotherapy and targeted-therapy choices, and has implications for relatives.

What helps with the symptoms?

Jaundice can be relieved with a stent, and pain and nutrition are actively managed alongside cancer treatment as part of good care.

Who supervises my treatment?

Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh) plans and reviews the medical-oncology component of your care personally.