About Pancreatic Cancer
By Wefayo on
Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
• Exocrine Cancer
• Another less common type is called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a condition where cancer cells form in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach.
The pancreas has two main jobs: it makes digestive juices that help break down food and hormones like insulin that control blood sugar levels. Most pancreatic cancers begin in the cells that line the ducts of the pancreas, which carry these digestive juices.
Pancreatic cancer is especially dangerous because it often doesn't cause symptoms until it's in advanced stages. When symptoms do appear, they can include:
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Abdominal pain that radiates to the back
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Dark urine
Because these symptoms can be vague and similar to other illnesses, pancreatic cancer is hard to diagnose early.
Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include
• Smoking
• Obesity
• History of diabetes
• Chronic pancreatitis (long-term inflammation of the pancreas)
• Certain genetic conditions
Most cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 65. To diagnose pancreatic cancer, doctors use
• Imaging tests like CT scans
• MRI
• Sometimes endoscopic ultrasound
• Blood tests looking for tumor markers like CA 19-9 can also help.
• A biopsy, where a small tissue sample is taken and examined under a microscope, is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis
Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer.
• If the cancer is caught early and is still localized, surgery to remove part or all of the pancreas may be possible.
Other treatments include:
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted drug therapy
• Immunotherapy
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer often spreads quickly to nearby organs, making it harder to treat.
Trend
• In the United States, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths.
• In 2023, it is estimated that about 64,050 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Over the past five years (2018-2022), approximately 320,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed in the United States.
• Looking ahead, the number of new pancreatic cancer cases is expected to rise slightly each year. By 2028, around 70,000 new cases are projected to be diagnosed annually.
History
Pancreatic cancer has been recognized for over a century. The first successful surgery to remove a pancreatic tumor was performed in 1909. However, it wasn't until the 1930s that the Whipple procedure, a complex surgery to remove parts of the pancreas, was developed. This surgery remains one of the main surgical treatments for pancreatic cancer today.
In the 1970s and 1980s, advances in imaging technology, like CT scans, improved the ability to diagnose pancreatic cancer. Chemotherapy drugs were also developed during this time, providing more treatment options.
The 1990s and 2000s saw the introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, which have helped improve outcomes for some patients. Despite these advances, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat.
Pancreatic Cancer - Source of Information
• American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pancreatic-cancer/about/what-is-pancreatic-cancer.html
• Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355421
• National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/patient/pancreatic-treatment-pdq
• National Library of Medicine https://medlineplus.gov/pancreaticcancer.html
For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.