Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
In the early stages, pancreatic cancer usually has no specific symptoms. But when the cancer has increased the patients will feel pain after eating or lying down. Pancreatic cancer can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss.
One type of pancreatic cancer is cancer of the island of cells (islet cell cancer), this cancer begins in cells of the pancreas that produce insulin and other hormones. Islet cells called islets of Langerhans. Cancer cells can lead to pancreatic islet cells produce too much insulin or hormones. When this happens, patients may feel weak or dizzy and may be cold (shivering), muscle cramps, or diarrhea.
One type of pancreatic cancer is cancer of the island of cells (islet cell cancer), this cancer begins in cells of the pancreas that produce insulin and other hormones. Islet cells called islets of Langerhans. Cancer cells can lead to pancreatic islet cells produce too much insulin or hormones. When this happens, patients may feel weak or dizzy and may be cold (shivering), muscle cramps, or diarrhea.
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis in pancreatic cancer is usually difficult to be done because the pancreatic cancer does not cause specific symptoms in the early stages. Physical observations and results from blood tests are also often normal. When a suspected adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, the most appropriate diagnostic tests are computed tomography (CT). Other examinations are commonly used is the scanner 'ultrasound', endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Biopsy
Each cancer hypothesis should be confirmed with laboratory studies of small pancreas sample (pancreatic tissue) taken by a doctor during a special ultrasound, performed under general anesthesia and is called echo-endoscope. Research hormonal function (hypoglycemia, diabetes, etc.) will also be very useful. Sometimes surgical exploration of the pancreas is needed to conclude with certainty the presence of pancreatic cancer.
Blood screening tests
There is no reliable blood test for pancreatic cancer. Many people know that the pancreas is where insulin is made, but the cells do not normally get involved in cancer. In contrast, cancer cells occurs in an enzyme maker that helps you digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the foods you eat. Most of the pancreatic cancer which attacks the part of producing the enzyme.
Pancreatic cancer can be characterized by an increase in "tumor markers" in blood (a substance produced by cancer cells): CA 19-9 in exocrine gland cancer and chromogranin A in endocrine gland cancer. However, these screening methods are not always reliable. The signs can remain stable despite the cancer. Conversely, other diseases can cause an increase in height, such as gallstones or pancreatitis. As a result, doctors not only use blood tests to detect this disease. They complement the results of blood tests with other medical examinations.
Abdominal imaging
Pancreatic tumors may be discovered during an ultrasound or CT-scan. Ultrasound and CT-scan can visualize the pancreatic tumor and the possible consequences, such as compression of the bile duct. If there is cancer in the head of the pancreas, bile ducts can be depressed. This test also aims to explore the possibility of organ involvement, or lymph vessels near the pancreas. The results of this investigation to determine the tumor stage. Additional testing can be done, such as pancreatic endoscopy. Performed with general anesthesia, this test is to observe the bile ducts and pancreas by injecting a contrast agent (radiopaque).
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Because adenocarcinoma of the pancreas usually spread to other parts of the body before it was discovered, prognosisinya very low. Less than 2% of people suffering from adenocarcinoma of the pancreas survive for 5 years after diagnosis. Hope is the only cure is surgery, performed at 10 to 20% of people who believe that the cancer had not spread. One of the pancreas alone or pancreas and the duodenum removed. After some operations, only 15 to 20% of people live to 5 years. Additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy is usually given but may not improve survival time or rate substantially.
Eliminated the possibility of mild pain with aspirin or acetaminophen. Often, strong painkillers, like codeine or morphine are used by mouth, is required. For 70 to 80% of people with severe pain, injections into the nerves to block pain can produce relief. Leaks on pancreatic digestive enzymes can be treated with an oral enzyme preparation. If diabetes is formed, insulin treatment may be needed.
Blockage of bile flow may be temporarily relieved by placing a tube (stent) in the lower abdomen on the channels that drain bile from the liver and gallbladder.
Risk Factors
Smoking increases the risk of pancreatic cancer by three times. The risk increases with intensity and duration of smoking, and decreases with smoking cessation. Other risk factors are found in pancreatic cancer is hereditary, but genetic predisposition explains only a small fraction of these cancers. When multiple cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in your family, you need regular monitoring and screening. Other suspected risk factors are alcohol consumption and diet.
