What is Pancreatic Cancer?
The pancreas is a glandular organ behind the stomach which produces many vital hormones like insulin, glucagon etc. Pancreatic cancer is a disease where cells in the pancreas grow in an unmanageable way and create a mass.
The cancerous cells of pancreas are capable to spread to other parts of the body. This form of cancer show not initial signs or symptoms and they reach to an advanced stage until detected.
This form of cancer is extremely rare to strike patients before the age of 40. Smoking, diabetes and obesity are some of risks that may cause this disease, apart from some rare hereditary factors.
What are the types of Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is primarily of two types.
Exocrine cancers – It’s the most common type where different varieties of cancers are included. All the cancers in this category originate in the exocrine pancreas cells. Endocrine pancreatic tumours – cancers under this category are rare in nature and they originate in the endocrine pancreas.
Sign and symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
There are no recognizable symptoms of pancreatic cancer in the early stages of the disease. Symptoms often start appearing when the disease reaches the advanced stage, and this is the major reason why the survival rates are so bad.
There are though some symptoms that appear in patients, like:
• Pain in the back or upper abdomen • A yellow tint to the eyes or skin • Inexplicable weight loss • Loss of appetite • Loss of exocrine function • Poor digestion • Nausea • A feel of fullness in the stomach • Constipation issues
Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
The treatment options of pancreatic cancer depend on a number of factors. Doctors would see whether surgery is a viable option to remove the tumour. The treatment also considers the cancer stage and the general health of the patient.
The disease can only be controlled if detected before the spread, as surgery then helps a lot. Palliative treatment is considered good to restrict the symptoms and complexity of the disease when surgery can’t do the trick.