Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer - a disease where cancer cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Pancreas is a gland that is shaped like a pear lying on its side and is about 6 inches long. The wider part is called the head, the middle is called the body, and the thin part is called the tail. Pancreas plays 2 essentials roles in the body:
· Produces juices that help in breaking down injected food.
· Produces hormones (ex: insuling) that help control blood sugar levels.
Life habits and health history that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer:
· Smoking
· Chronic pancreatitis
· Long-standing diabetes
· Certain hereditary conditions, such as hereditary pancreatitis, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, etc.
Signs of pancreatic cancer include jaundice, pain, and weight loss. Other conditions may causes the same symptoms, thus a doctor should be consulted if such or any of the following problems occur:
· Jaundine (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
· Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back
· Loss of appetite
· Fatigue
· Unexplained weight loss.
Since pancreatic cancer has the same symptom as other cancers/diseases/illnesses, it is hard to detect and diagnose early. It is not uncommon not to have significant signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Have yourself checked as soon as possible when any of the mentioned symptoms occur.
Tests to detect, diagnose, and stage pancreatic cancer are:
Chest x-ray - an x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
CT/CAT Scan - a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Often, a dye is injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues to show up more clearly. To learn more about different types of scans, please click here.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - a medical procedure that uses radio waves, a magnet, and a computer to take detailed pictures of the body.
PET scan (positive emission tomography scan) - a procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is given into the veins and the scanner makes pictures of the areas of the body where the glucose if being used. These malignant tumor cells appear brighter in the pictures because they are more active by using more glucose than normal cells.
Physical exam - exam of the body to check for signs of lumps or other things that may seem unusual.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) - a procedure where an ensdoscope is inserted into the body, usually through the mouth or rectum. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. High energy sound waves bounce off of internal tissues or organs and make echoes. These echoes form a picture of the body tissues to be analyzed by a doctor.
Laparoscopy - a procedure to look at the organs inside the abdomen to check for signs of disease. Laparoscope is inserted through small incisions in the wall of the abdomen to remove tissues for biopsy or to remove organs as part of a surgery.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - a procedure used to x-ray the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and from the gallbladder to the small intestine. Sometimes pancreatic cancer causes these tubes to narrow and block or slow the flow of bile, causing jaundice. An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is passed through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach into the first part of the small intestine. A catheter is then inserted through the endoscope into the pancreatic tubes. A dye is injected through the catheter. A dye is injected through the catheter into the ducts and an x-ray is taken. If the ducts are blocked by a tumor, a fine tube may be inserted into the duct to unblock it. This tube (or stent) may be left in place to keep the duct open. Tissue samples may also be taken.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) - a procedure used to x-ray the liver and bile ducts. A thin needle is inserted through the skin below the ribs and into the liver. Dye is injected into the liver or bile ducts and an x-ray is taken. If a blockage is found, a thin, flexible tube called a stent is sometimes left in the liver to drain bile into the small intestine or a collection bag outside the body. This test is done only if ERCP cannot be done.
Biopsy - the removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist for cancer cells. A fine needle may be inserted into the pancreas during an x-ray or ultrasound to remove cells. Tissue may also be removed during a laparoscopy (a surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen).
Treatment for pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer treatment options depend on the size and stage of the cancer, whether or not tumor can be removed by surgery, general health, and whether the cancer has been diagnosed or has recurred. Pancreatic cancer can be controlled only if it is found before it spreads, while it still can be removed by surgery. If the cancer has spread, palliative treatment can help improve the patient’s quality of life by controlling the symptoms and complications of the disease.
Pancreatic cancer - a disease where cancer cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Pancreas is a gland that is shaped like a pear lying on its side and is about 6 inches long. The wider part is called the head, the middle is called the body, and the thin part is called the tail. Pancreas plays 2 essentials roles in the body:
· Produces juices that help in breaking down injected food.
· Produces hormones (ex: insuling) that help control blood sugar levels.
Life habits and health history that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer:
· Smoking
· Chronic pancreatitis
· Long-standing diabetes
· Certain hereditary conditions, such as hereditary pancreatitis, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, etc.
Signs of pancreatic cancer include jaundice, pain, and weight loss. Other conditions may causes the same symptoms, thus a doctor should be consulted if such or any of the following problems occur:
· Jaundine (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
· Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back
· Loss of appetite
· Fatigue
· Unexplained weight loss.
Since pancreatic cancer has the same symptom as other cancers/diseases/illnesses, it is hard to detect and diagnose early. It is not uncommon not to have significant signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Have yourself checked as soon as possible when any of the mentioned symptoms occur.
Tests to detect, diagnose, and stage pancreatic cancer are:
Chest x-ray - an x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
CT/CAT Scan - a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Often, a dye is injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues to show up more clearly. To learn more about different types of scans, please click here.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - a medical procedure that uses radio waves, a magnet, and a computer to take detailed pictures of the body.
PET scan (positive emission tomography scan) - a procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is given into the veins and the scanner makes pictures of the areas of the body where the glucose if being used. These malignant tumor cells appear brighter in the pictures because they are more active by using more glucose than normal cells.
Physical exam - exam of the body to check for signs of lumps or other things that may seem unusual.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) - a procedure where an ensdoscope is inserted into the body, usually through the mouth or rectum. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. High energy sound waves bounce off of internal tissues or organs and make echoes. These echoes form a picture of the body tissues to be analyzed by a doctor.
Laparoscopy - a procedure to look at the organs inside the abdomen to check for signs of disease. Laparoscope is inserted through small incisions in the wall of the abdomen to remove tissues for biopsy or to remove organs as part of a surgery.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - a procedure used to x-ray the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and from the gallbladder to the small intestine. Sometimes pancreatic cancer causes these tubes to narrow and block or slow the flow of bile, causing jaundice. An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is passed through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach into the first part of the small intestine. A catheter is then inserted through the endoscope into the pancreatic tubes. A dye is injected through the catheter. A dye is injected through the catheter into the ducts and an x-ray is taken. If the ducts are blocked by a tumor, a fine tube may be inserted into the duct to unblock it. This tube (or stent) may be left in place to keep the duct open. Tissue samples may also be taken.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) - a procedure used to x-ray the liver and bile ducts. A thin needle is inserted through the skin below the ribs and into the liver. Dye is injected into the liver or bile ducts and an x-ray is taken. If a blockage is found, a thin, flexible tube called a stent is sometimes left in the liver to drain bile into the small intestine or a collection bag outside the body. This test is done only if ERCP cannot be done.
Biopsy - the removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist for cancer cells. A fine needle may be inserted into the pancreas during an x-ray or ultrasound to remove cells. Tissue may also be removed during a laparoscopy (a surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen).
Treatment for pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer treatment options depend on the size and stage of the cancer, whether or not tumor can be removed by surgery, general health, and whether the cancer has been diagnosed or has recurred. Pancreatic cancer can be controlled only if it is found before it spreads, while it still can be removed by surgery. If the cancer has spread, palliative treatment can help improve the patient’s quality of life by controlling the symptoms and complications of the disease.
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What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
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© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
home | about us |get involved | donate | resources | contact us
© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.