What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer starts off when the cells of the pancreas begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. Pancreas is an organ behind the lower part of stomach. Pancreas is responsible for the production of enzymes which help digestion and also helps to keep your blood sugar in control. There could be a variety of growths in the pancreas either cancerous or non cancerous. The most common kind of cancer in the pancreas is, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, it is the one that starts in the lining of pancreatic ducts which are responsible for carrying the digestive enzymes out of the pancreas. The early stages of pancreatic cancer usually show no signs and hence it is difficult to manage once diagnosed.
What are the signs of pancreatic cancer?
The later or advanced stage of pancreatic cancer, could show up signs such as:
- Abdominal pain which spreads to the back.
- Loss of weight.
- Loss of appetite.
- Jaundice.
- Pale color stools.
- Dark urine.
- New onset of diabetes.
- Uncontrollable diabetes.
- Weakness.
What are the types of Pancreatic Cancer?
There are mainly two types of pancreatic cancer depending on which function it has affected:
- Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer: The tumors which affect the exocrine functionality are the most common type of pancreatic cancer.
- Endocrine Pancreatic Cancer: The tumors which impact the endocrine functionality are called islet cells tumors or neuroendocrine tumours.
What are the stages of Pancreatic Cancer?
- Stage 1: Tumor or cancer is detected in the pancreas only.
- Stage 2: Tumors have spread to nearby tissues.
- Stage 3: Cancer has penetrated into blood vessels and lymph nodes.
- Stage 4: Tumors have spread to different organs as well.
What are the risk factors of Pancreatic Cancer?
You could be at an increased risk of Pancreatic Cancer if the event that you
- Smoke cigarettes.
- Are obese.
- Have a fat filled diet.
- Are Diabetic.
- Have liver damage.
- Are exposed to chemicals or pesticides.
- Have family history of pancreatic cancer.
How can u prevent Pancreatic Cancer?
Avoiding certain activities can reduce the risk, such as:
- Quit smoking.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise well.
- Eat fresh fruits & vegetables.
How can Pancreatic Cancer be detected?
Few of the below diagnostic tests can help detect pancreatic cancer, such as:
- Blood Tests.
- CT Scan.
- PET Scan.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound.
- Biopsy.
What is the treatment for pancreatic cancer?
Based on the size and stage of the cancer, the treatment plan could include:
- Surgery.
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation Therapy.