Pancreatic Cancer
Course Overview
Pancreatic cancer, also referred to as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is the most lethal solid malignancy, predicted to become the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States by 2030. The complexity of this aggressive cancer has been vexing to investigators and tragic for patients and their families. It is now clear that even early-stage PDAC is a systemic disease and that new-onset metabolic and neuropsychiatric symptoms/syndromes are prodromal rather than comorbid or secondary. This recognition has also called for a re-thinking of pancreatic cancer from a more integrative, multi-system perspective.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Outline the epidemiology of and risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
- Describe the pathophysiology of pancreatic cancers.
- Identify high-risk patients for diagnostic screening for pancreatic cancer.
- Describe key aspects of the clinical evaluation of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer.
- Select the appropriate tools for diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer.
- Apply models of assessing the functional performance status of patients with diagnosed pancreatic cancer.
- Discuss the role of resection in pancreatic cancer treatment, including most appropriate approaches.
- Compare and contrast chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
- Describe the use of radiation therapy as a component of pancreatic cancer treatment according to evidence-based guidelines.
- Evaluate available interventions to manage symptoms and provide palliative care to patients with pancreatic cancer.
About the Author/Presenter
Mark Rose, BS, MA, LP, is a licensed psychologist in the State of Minnesota with a private consulting practice and a medical research analyst with a biomedical communications firm. Earlier healthcare technology assessment work led to medical device and pharmaceutical sector experience in new product development involving cancer ablative devices and pain therapeutics. Along with substantial experience in addiction research, Mr. Rose has contributed to the authorship of numerous papers on CNS, oncology, and other medical disorders. He is the lead author of papers published in peer-reviewed addiction, psychiatry, and pain medicine journals and has written books on prescription opioids and alcoholism published by the Hazelden Foundation. He also serves as an Expert Advisor and Expert Witness to law firms that represent disability claimants or criminal defendants on cases related to chronic pain, psychiatric/substance use disorders, and acute pharmacologic/toxicologic effects. Mr. Rose is on the Board of Directors of the Minneapolis-based International Institute of Anti-Aging Medicine and is a member of several professional organizations.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing, Physician
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