Cancer Treatment

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth, and pancreatic cancer occurs when this uncontrolled cell growth begins in the pancreas. Rather than developing into healthy, normal pancreas tissue, these abnormal cells continue dividing and form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors. Tumors then interfere with the main functions of the pancreas. If a tumor stays in one spot and demonstrates limited growth, it is generally considered to be benign.

More dangerous, or malignant, tumors form when the cancer cells migrate to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph systems. When a tumor successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, invading and destroying other healthy tissues, it is said to have metastasized. This process itself is called metastasis, and the result is a more serious condition that is very difficult to treat.

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Types of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer can be categorized into different types that depend on whether or not the cancer began in the endocrine or exocrine component. Pancreatic cancer types include -

Endocrine Tumors - Tumors of the endocrine pancreas are uncommon. As a group, they are known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), or sometimes as islet cell tumors. There are several subtypes of islet cell tumors. Each is named according to the type of hormone-making cell it starts in -

Insulinomas come from cells that make insulin

Glucagonomas come from cells that make glucagon

Gastrinomas come from cells that make gastrin

Somatostatinomas come from cells that make somatostatin

VIPomas come from cells that make vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)

PPomas come from cells that make pancreatic polypeptide

Exocrine Tumors - they are considered as the most common type of pancreatic cancer. Adenocarcinoma that begins in gland cells is mostly seen in people who are suffering from pancreatic cancer. Ductal Adenocarcinoma is the ducts of the pancreas from where the tumor typically begins. Rarely when tumor starts in the acini then it is termed as acinar Adenocarcinoma. Some of the other rare tumors of the pancreas are -

Lymphoma

Acinar Cell Carcinomas

Cystic Tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors

Causes of Pancreatic Cancer

There is no known cause of pancreatic cancer but this cancer is seen more common in -

Smokers

Diabetic people

People with long-term inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis)

Familial pancreatic cancer syndromes

Long-standing diabetes

It has also been noticed that pancreatic cancer is common in women as compared to men. Genetic syndromes passing down through families can also be considered as one of the cause.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is often called a "silent" disease because it rarely shows early symptoms and presents non-specific later symptoms. Tumors of the pancreas cancers are usually too small to cause symptoms. The symptoms depends on the location of the cancer inside the pancreas -

Pain in the upper abdomen from the tumor pushing against nerves

A painless yellowing of the skin and eyes and darkening of the urine called jaundice, created when the cancer interferes with the bile duct and the liver.

Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting

Significant weight loss and weakness

Acholic stool (pale or grey stool) and steatorrhea (excess fat in stool)

Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer involves performing a number of imaging studies that include -

Computer Tomography (CT)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) - this imaging test helps in determining the degree of pancreatic cancer spread. This is done by injecting radioactive glucose into the veins that is absorbed by the cancer cells.

Ultrasound

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

Laparoscopy - tissue for biopsy can be collected by using laparoscopy and it also helps in viewing the inside of the abdomen for determining the spread of pancreatic cancer.

Biopsy

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

There are various treatments for pancreatic cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to treat cancer, while radiation therapy uses X-rays or other kinds of radiation to kill cancer cells. Surgery can be used to remove a tumor or to treat symptoms of pancreatic cancer.