Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide.
It occurs when abnormal cells grow in your pancreas, a gland tucked behind your stomach that helps you digest food. The main symptom of pancreatic cancer is pain or pressure in your abdomen; however, this can be difficult to notice because it often comes on gradually over time. It is often diagnosed at a late stage when survival rates are low. Moreover, there are no reliable screening tests for pancreatic cancer.
Cells of the pancreas usually die through apoptosis (programmed cell death) or necrosis (programmed cell death caused by injury). When these changes happen at all stages of development, it can result in more aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It has two main functions: producing enzymes that help digest food and hormones such as insulin, which regulate blood sugar levels. It most often develops slowly over a number of years without any symptoms until it’s at an advanced stage.
The most common form of pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma, which accounts for more than 90% of all cases. Other forms include neuroendocrine tumors and mucinous cystic neoplasms. About 5% to 10% of pancreatic cancers are hereditary, meaning they have an inherited genetic cause.
Pancreatic cancer can be found anywhere in the body but most often affects the digestive system. Symptoms include swelling in your abdomen (bulge), pain or discomfort around your abdominal area, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, unexplained fever and chills, and unexplained bleeding from your rectum or vagina. Other symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), pain in your abdomen, bloating around your stomach, back pain, changes in bowel movements, and dark urine.
There are two types of pancreatic cancer: exocrine and endocrine. Exocrine pancreatic cancer is the most common type and develops in cells that produce enzymes that help digest food. Endocrine pancreatic cancer occurs when cells produce hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin.
Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer begins with a physical exam, including an examination and blood tests. If your doctor suspects that you have pancreatic cancer, you may need further tests such as a CT scan or MRI scan of the abdomen; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); ultrasound; biopsy of suspicious areas in your body.
Power Pancreatic cancer clinical trials have supplied limited knowledge as to the cause of pancreatic cancer—it’s not contagious or hereditary in nature, so there is no known way to prevent it from happening.
However, there are many risk factors that may increase your chances of developing the disease over time, including:
- Having a history of smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol excessively
- Having a family history of pancreatic cancer (especially if two or more relatives have had it)
- Being overweight or obese
- Having a history of type 2 diabetes
- Being over the age of 50
- Being male
- Having chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Having a diet high in fat and low in fiber
- Having certain rare genetic conditions, such as hereditary pancreatitis and Cowden syndrome
- Being exposed to certain substances at work, such as asbestos and chromium dust (a carcinogenic metal)
There is no cure for pancreatic cancer, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to prevent it. You can do this by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking cigarettes. If you have diabetes, make sure to meet your doctor’s recommended goals for blood sugar control. Also, if you’re overweight, talk to your doctor about how much weight you should lose and how often you should exercise. In addition, try to avoid alcohol and other substances that may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer.
If you already have pancreatic cancer, there are treatments available that can help you live longer and even improve your quality of life. If you’re diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early enough, your doctor may recommend surgery or radiation therapy instead of chemotherapy as your primary treatment. If you’re diagnosed with pancreatic cancer late in the disease process, your doctor may suggest chemotherapy or another type of treatment. Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. The drugs travel through your bloodstream and destroy any cancer cells they find along the way.
Pancreatic cancer is fairly uncommon, and most are detected at an advanced state. Treatment options are few, and the prognosis is poor. The better we understand this disease process, the more likely we’ll be able to improve outcomes for patients and families. If you have cancer, it’s important to know your disease’s stage. This will help you and your doctor decide on the best treatment options for you or your loved one.