What is pancreatic cancer? It is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach and in front of the spine; It produces digestive juices to help your body digest the food and hormones that regulate blood sugar.
Cells called exocrine pancreas cells produce digestive juices, while cells called endocrine pancreas cells produce hormones. Most pancreatic cancers begin in exocrine cells.
How pancreatic cancer forms
It occurs when the cells of the pancreas develop mutations in their DNA. These mutations cause cells to grow out of control and continue to live after normal cells die. These cells, which accumulate, can form a tumor. If left untreated, pancreatic cancer spreads to nearby organs and blood vessels.
The head of the pancreas is to the right of the belly, behind where the stomach and the first part of the small intestine meet.
SYMPTOMS OF PANCREATIC CANCER
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Blood clots
RISK FACTOR’S
- Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Diabetes
- Family history of genetic syndromes that may increase the risk of cancer, such as the BRCA2 gene mutation, Lynch syndrome and familial melanoma syndrome with multiple atypical moles
- Family history of pancreatic cancer
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Advanced age, since most people are diagnosed after 65 years of age
PREVENTION
You can reduce your risk for pancreatic cancer if:
- You quit smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight: If your weight is correct, strive to maintain it.
- Choose a healthy diet
HOW IS PANCREATIC CANCER DIAGNOSED?
After recording your health history and performing a physical exam, the doctor may order several tests to determine the cause of your problem or the extent of the condition, including:
- Com tomography putarizada (CT)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
- Laparoscopy (surgical procedure to observe organs)
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC; procedure used for liver and bile duct radiography)
- Biopsy (tissue removal to see under a microscope)
PANCREATIC CANCER TREATMENT
There are several treatments for pancreatic cancer, which include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to treat cancer, while radiation therapy uses x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. Finally, surgery can be used to remove a tumor or to treat pancreatic cancer symptoms.