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Pancreatic Cancer |
Pancreatic CancerPancreas is a part of digestive system that lies behind the lower part of the stomach horizontally in front of the spine.
It performs various functions, produces hormones that control the blood sugar levels and juices that aid digestion. Pancreatic cancer also called as exocrine cancer is the most serious form of cancer where in cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas (mainly originates in the duct cells or acinar cells-that produces digestive enzymes). Pancreatic cancer is the leading cause of cancer death as it is seldom detected at its early stages and it spreads rapidly.
Risk factors may involve some hereditary disorders related to pancreatic cancer and some other cancers, life style changes such as diet, smoking, chemical exposure, excess weight, hereditary chronic pancreatitis or long-term diabetes/abnormal glucose metabolism.
Signs and symptoms often appear when the carcinoma is already advanced and have spread to other parts of the body. Any of the
following signs and symptoms should be taken to a specialist immediately
- Unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite.
- Jaundice (yellow pigmentation of skin and white part of the eye).
- Upper abdominal pain that may cause middle or lower back pain.
- Fatigue and itching (at later stages).
- Digestive problems (especially digesting fats).
Screening and diagnosisIt is very important to detect pancreatic cancer at early stages, before it spreads to other organs or tissues. As pancreas is tucked behind other organs, it is difficult to feel the tumor in routing examinations.
Moreover it spreads quickly, thus a reliable diagnostic test is advisable.
- Ultra sound imaging – high frequency sound waves reflected on the abdomen with the help of a transducer, that translates the internal organ images including pancreas on the computer screen.
- Computer tomography (CT) scan – visualizes the organ by passing a series of thin X-ray beams that creates two-dimensional view of the organ.
- Magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) - uses magnetic and radio waves created by a computer.
- Endoscopic ultra sound and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)
- Biopsy – tissue sample examined for malignancy under the microscope.
- Laproscopy – lighted instrument is used to view the pancreas and the surrounding tissues.
- Various other staging tests are also performed to determine the size, exact location of the tumor and how far it has spread.
These tests are crucial as the specialist will decide the treatment to be given according to the results of these tests.
As the tumor in the pancreas inhibits its normal functioning, this can lead to complications such as pancreas pain, diarrhea, weight loss, jaundice and problem with carbohydrate metabolism.
Immediate treatment is required to eliminate pancreas cancer completely. Surgical removal of a part or total pancreas (pancreatectomy), radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the options to be considered for its treatment.
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