What is Pancreatic Cancer?

First, the good news - research is being done and scientists are learning more every day about the causes of pancreatic cancer. Progress IS being made, and research has already led to better treatment for the diasease, a better quality of life for patients, and a decrease in deaths from pancreatic cancer.

The pancreas is a little organ only about 6 inches long that is located between the stomach and the spine. It is responsible for producing insulin as well as other hormones. Additionally, it makes pancreatic juices containing enzymes that help in digesting food.

Most cases of cancer starts in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices. Cancer of the pancreas is also called carcinoma of the pancreas. The terms are used interchangeably.

*Note: There is a rare cases that start in the cells that make insulin and other hormones. Cancer that starts in these cells is called islet cell cancer.

There are, of course, certain risk factors that scientists say increase the chances of a person developing the disease. It is important to note, however, that many people with all of the risk factors do not get pancreatic cancer and that people who have none of the risk factors do get it.

The risk factors that scientists have identified are:

1. Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing all kinds of cancer, according to scientists.

2. Age: Most cases if this type of cancer are diagnosed in patients over the age of 60.

3. Race: African Americans have a greater risk of developing the diasease than other ethnic groups.

4. Sex: Males more often develop pancreatic cancer than females.

5. Family History: If there is a history of pancreatic cancer in the family, there is a greater risk for a patient to develop it.

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Is Pancreatic Cancer Curable?

Bob looks at Dr. Peter Roland with trepidation. What is he going to say? Will he give him false hopes? Thoughts like this are rummaging through his mind and he is looking at the doctor for a hint as to what the result of his medical tests would be. Bob has never felt so troubled in his life time. He is wondering about his wife Julia and kids waiting at home for him. A lump forms in his throat and tears blur his vision. Bob is not alone in this situation. There are thousands of Bobs in this world waiting with fear and anxiety about their health condition, while pancreatic cancer affects them without their knowledge.

This deadly disease is a silent killer. Pancreatic cancer is never known till it reaches a late stage. Since the organ is very tiny and is placed in a tricky place it’s difficult to detect pancreatic tumors till a late stage. This is one form of cancer which does not provide definite symptoms whereby the cancer can be detected at a formative stage, and coupled with that is the fact that options for treatment for this cancer is limited.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most fatal form of cancer behind breast, colon and prostrate. There are four stages in pancreatic cancer. If it is detected at the first stage when it is still developing in the pancreas then chemotherapy can possibly prevent the cancer from spreading and clean it out of the system. Generally pancreatic cancer is never detected in stage one. Stage two also tries to arrest the spreading of the cancer to other related organs by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If these two fail then surgery to remove the pancreas called pancreatectomy can be performed. This depends on the age and health condition of the patient.

In stage three the cancer could have spread like fire and other body parts and tissues may also have got affected. Surgery and chemotherapy to the other parts including pancreas is performed. By the fourth stage it’s futile to try any treatment as the cancer has affected the nearby organs like stomach, spleen, large bowels or the nearby blood vessels

Once the cancer sets in the pancreas, the bile duct which caries bile from the liver to the arteries gets clogged and there is reverse flow of bile as a result of which jaundice and fever set in the body. Subsequentl,y it starts affecting other organs as well, and ultimately leads to death.

Jones Wright writes regularly on important medical subjects that affect people. He owns and operates http://www.pancreatic-tumors.com

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Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreas is responsible for producing insulin which regulates the sugar level in the body. All those who know what diabetes is would know the importance of insulin in body (and hence the importance of pancreas). Pancreas also produces pancreatic juice which helps in digestion of food. When abnormal growth of cells (malignant cells) occurs in the pancreas, it is called pancreatic cancer. Like other types of cancer, pancreatic cancer too is life threatening.

Cause of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is again one of those that happen to older people (generally those above the age of 60). Chronic pancreatitis, which is caused by consumption of large amounts of alcohol, can act as a predecessor of pancreatic cancer. Some people tend to associate pancreatic cancer to genes and family history but there doesn’t seem any concrete evidence to suggest one or the other. Generally speaking, pancreatic cancer doesn’t seem to have a relation to family history.

Symptoms and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Again, none of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are such so as to give confirmatory indications of pancreatic cancer. Pain in the abdomen, tiredness and loss of appetite are said to be symptoms of pancreatic cancer but these can really be caused by so many other things that it might not even occur to you that this could be caused by pancreatic cancer. However, if you are skeptical and want to make sure that everything is ok, you can always consult a qualified doctor to vet out your fears. Jaundice is another symptom of pancreatic cancer but this too can be caused by other things. So, really, it comes to proper tests and diagnosis to detect pancreatic cancer. The doctors would generally go for a urine test (for bile) and a blood test as the first screening tests for pancreatic cancer. In case these tests suggest pancreatic cancer, there could be need for x-rays and other tests (as deemed fit by the doctor).

Treatment of pancreatic cancer

As is the case with any type of cancer, the chances of survival with pancreatic cancer is governed by how early you are able to catch the symptoms and diagnose pancreatic cancer. The treatment for pancreatic cancer is dependent on the size of the cancer, the stage of cancer and your general health. A major consideration is the size of the cancer and whether it has spread around or is localized. For pancreatic cancer too, the best treatment is removal of the cancer through surgical procedure (and it’s a major surgery). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are other ways of treating pancreatic cancer.

Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Pancreatic Cancer blog for more information.

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