Pancreatic

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is cancer occurring in the pancreas. The pancreas is an important part of our digestive tract; it is where insulin is produced. The pancreas also produces pancreatic juices which contain enzymes that are essential to the digestion of food.

While pancreatic cancer only accounts for about 2-3% of cancer cases, it is the 4th leading cause of cancer related death. Much of this is due to the fact that pancreatic cancer is so hard to diagnose in its early stages, which means the cancer is widespread by the time of diagnosis.

Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors

• Cigarette smoking. To most people, cigarette smoking is most commonly associated with lung cancer. However smoking is also a risk factor with many other cancers. Some reports state that smokers have a 2 or 3 times greater risk of getting pancreatic cancer then non-smokers
• Age. Most cases of pancreatic cancer occur between the ages of 60 and 80.
• Race. Pancreatic cancer is slightly more common in the African-American population than it is in the Caucasian population.
• Gender. Men are more likely than women to have pancreatic cancer. This may be partly due to the fact that men are more likely to smoke than women.
• Chronic pancreatitis. Long term inflammation of the pancreas, pancreatitis, has been linked to have increased risk for pancreatic cancer.
• Family history. A family history of pancreatic cancer is sometimes linked to an increased risk.
• Diet. Diets high in animal fats and cholesterol from fried foods may be at an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Diets high in fruits, vegetables and fiber may help to lower this risk.

Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection

Cancer of the pancreas is one of the more deadly cancers, as the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are also symptoms of many other diseases. Pancreatic cancer is rarely caught in its early stages as there are often no symptoms. As the cancer begins to spread some symptoms may include; pain in the abdomen, yellow skin and eyes, pain in the lower back, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting and weight loss. However since many of these symptoms may be a result of another disease, it is important to see your doctor with any of the above symptoms.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Surgery. There are several surgeries available to treat cancer of the pancreas. There are two types of main surgeries;

• Tumor Removal Surgeries.
• Palliative Surgeries (surgeries done to relieve symptoms of the disease but not to treat the disease directly).

Radiation Therapy. A cancer treatment that involves high energy x-rays as a form of radiation to kill the cancer cells. Radiation is a fairly direct form of treatment and can be used externally (a machine outside of the body directs radiation towards the cancer) or internally (after being sealed in needles, wires or catheters a radioactive substance is placed directly into or near the cancer). The type of radiation therapy required depends on the stage of the cancer

Chemotherapy. A cancer treatment that uses drugs to either kill the cancer cells or to stop them from dividing, thereby stopping new growth. Chemotherapy can be directed through the entire body or more regionally depending on the stage of the cancer being treated.