Pancreatic Cancer
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious of cancers. It develops when cancerous cells form in the tissues of your pancreas — a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach.
Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it’s a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until the disease is quite advanced. By that time, the cancer is likely to have spread to other parts of the body and surgical removal is no longer possible.
For years, little was known about pancreatic cancer. But researchers are beginning to understand the genetic basis of the disease — knowledge that may eventually lead to new and better treatments. Just as important, you may be able to reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer with some lifestyle changes…
What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?
We still do not know exactly what causes most cases of pancreatic cancer. Several risk factors have been linked to the disease. A risk factor is something that affects a person’s chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person’s age or race, can’t be changed. But keep in mind that having one or more risk factors does not mean that a person will get the disease…
Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
Age : – The risk of this cancer goes up with age. Almost 90% of patients are older than 55. The average age at the time the cancer is found is 72. Gender : – Men have this cancer slightly more often than women.
Race : – African Americans are more likely to have this cancer than are whites.
Smoking The risk of getting cancer of the pancreas is 2 to 3 times higher among smokers. About 3 out of 10 cases of pancreatic cancer are thought to be caused by smoking.
Diet : – There may be a link between pancreatic cancer and high-fat diets that include a lot of red meat and pork, especially processed meat (such as sausage and bacon). Some studies have found that diets high in fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. But not all studies have found such links, and the exact role of diet in pancreatic cancer is still under study.
Obesity and Lack of Exercise : – Very overweight people are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, as are those who don’t get much exercise.
Diabetes : Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with this disease.
Chronic Pancreatitis : – This is a long-term inflammation of the pancreas. It is linked with a slightly higher risk of pancreatic cancer, but most people with this condition do not get pancreatic cancer.
Work Exposure : – Heavy exposure at work to certain substances (pesticides, dyes, and chemicals) may increase the risk of getting cancer of the pancreas.
Family History : – Cancer of the pancreas seems to run in some families. This may account for about 1 in 10 cases. Changes in DNA that increase the risk for certain other cancers also increase the risk of this cancer.
Stomach Problems : – Having too much stomach acid or having a bacteria called H. pylori in the stomach may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer often is called a “silent” disease because it typically doesn’t cause symptoms early on. The cancer may grow and spread for some time before symptoms develop, which may be so vague that they are initially ignored. For these reasons, pancreatic cancer is hard to detect early. In many cases, the cancer has spread outside the pancreas by the time it is found. When symptoms appear, their type and severity depend on the location and size of the tumor…
Tests for Pancreatic Cancer
Unfortunately, there are no laboratory tests available for the early detection or diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Diagnosis is usually made after the cancer has already spread, using imaging tests and biopsy.
Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer in India
Surgery. Radiation. Chemotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer. Operations include the Whipple resection, distal pancreatectomy, total pancreatectomy and portal vein surgery.
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