Pancreatic Cancer

PANCREATIC CANCER

Pancreatic cancer is a kind of cancer in which the cancerous cells are formed in the tissues of the pancreas. This is an organ in the abdomen which lies horizontally at the lower part of the stomach. The pancreas is an organ that secretes digestive juices and hormones that regulates the metabolism of sugars. The cells are known as exocrine pancreas cells produce the digestive juices while the cells known as endocrine pancreas cells produces the hormones. Mostly the pancreatic cancer starts in the exocrine cells and is known to be a silent disease because the signs and symptoms of the disease are not visible in its initial stages. The signs and symptoms are:

• Pain felt in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back
• Weight loss and weakness
• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Depression
• Enlargement of liver and gallbladder
• Yellowing of skin and whiteness under the eyes relating to jaundice

Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer:

The doctor will suggest the following tests and investigations to diagnose pancreatic cancer;

• Imaging investigations are used to diagnose cancer, such as ultrasound, CT scans (Computerised tomography), MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging).
• The other tests performed for assessment are laparoscopic procedure and a biopsy. With the help of laparoscopy, the doctor is able to understand and access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis. In biopsy, a small sample of the suspected cancerous tissue is taken for test and confirmed whether it is malignant or non-malignant.

Treatment Methods for Pancreatic Cancer:

Surgery is an option used to remove all or parts of the pancreas. If the doctors feel the cancer is not metastasized, it is possible to surgically remove the cancer from the body. The surgical procedures used by the doctors to remove the pancreatic cancer are;

• Whipple procedure – If the pancreatic cancer is located in the head of the pancreas, it is removed along with a portion of the stomach, lymph nodes and other tissues. This is a complex and risky procedure which has complications such as leaking, infections, bleeding and other stomach problems.
• Distal pancreatectomy – If the pancreatic cancer is located at the bottom part that is the tail portion of the pancreas, a distal pancreatectomy procedure is performed.
• Central pancreatectomy – If the tumour is situated in the central portion of the pancreas, this procedure is performed so the upper and lower portion of the pancreas can be saved.
• Total pancreatectomy – In this procedure the total pancreas is removed, similar to the Whipple procedure where a portion of the stomach, lymph nodes and few other tissues would be removed.

Chemotherapy – This is a method of treatment where the doctors use powerful drugs to kill or prevent further growth of the cancer cells. Chemotherapy is a method that can also be used even after a surgery to prevent and control pancreatic cancer to re-occur.

Radiation Therapy – In this method of treatment high beam of energy rays is used such as the X-rays to kill the cancer cells. One could receive radiation therapy before or after the surgery or could also receive as a combination along with chemotherapy, which is decided by the doctor depending upon the condition of the person.