Pancreatic cancer (tumor)

General or Other | - Others | Pancreatic cancer (tumor) (Disease)


Description

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating from transformed cells arising in tissues forming the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer is hard to catch early. It doesnt cause symptoms right away. When you do get symptoms, they are often vague or you may not notice them. They include yellowing of the skin and eyes, pain in the abdomen and back, weight loss and fatigue. Also, because the pancreas is hidden behind other organs, health care providers cannot see or feel the tumors during routine exams.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN) is a type of pancreatic cancer that is beginning to be recognized more frequently. This pancreatic cancer has a better prognosis than other types of pancreatic cancer. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia is usually diagnosed endoscopically.

Causes and Risk factors

Some risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer include smoking, long-term diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, certain hereditary disorders.

The most common type of pancreatic cancer arises from the exocrine glands and is called adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

The endocrine glands of the pancreas can give rise to a completely different type of cancer, referred to as pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma or islet cell tumor. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is among the most aggressive of all cancers. By the time that pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, most people already have disease that has spread to distant sites in the body. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death overall.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Tests to establish the disease and define the extent include: ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), abdominal CT scan, pancreatic biopsy, abdominal ultrasound, and/or abdominal MRI.

Because it is often found late and it spreads quickly, pancreatic cancer can be hard to treat. Possible treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. ...