Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the seventh in Europe.In 2008, there were 280,000 new cases and 265,000 deaths worldwide.These cancers are classified as endocrine or non-endocrine tumours. The most common type is ductal adenocarcinoma. The most significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer are advanced age (over 60) and smoking. Chronic pancreatitis, diabetes or other conditions may also be involved in their development. Early pancreatic cancer does not tend to result in any symptoms, but when a tumor is advanced, a patient may experience severe pain in the upper abdomen, possibly radiating to the back.[8] Another symptom is jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes.[9]Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis,[2] with a five-year survival rate of less than 5%. By the time the cancer is diagnosed, it is usually at an advanced, inoperable stage. Only one in about fifteen to twenty patients is offered curative surgery. Pancreatic cancer is aggressive and resists radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
Abdominal pain: This is one of the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer. The pain is often described as a dull ache or gnawing sensation in the upper abdomen that may radiate to the back. It can be persistent or come and go. The pain may worsen after eating or when lying down.
Loss of appetite: Pancreatic cancer can affect the digestive system, leading to a decreased appetite and a feeling of fullness even after eating small amounts of food.
Unexplained weight loss: Unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of many cancers, including pancreatic cancer. This can occur due to loss of appetite, digestive issues, and the cancer cells using up energy.
Jaundice: Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It occurs when bilirubin, a yellow-brown substance produced by the liver, builds up in the blood. This can happen if a tumor blocks the bile duct, which carries bile from the liver to the small intestine. Jaundice may also cause dark urine and light-colored stools.
Changes in bowel movements: Pancreatic cancer can affect the production of digestive enzymes, leading to changes in bowel habits. This can include light-colored or floating stools, diarrhea, or constipation.
New-onset diabetes or difficulty controlling existing diabetes: The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer can disrupt insulin production, leading to new-onset diabetes or making it harder to control existing diabetes.
Other symptoms: Other possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
Itching
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue or weakness
Back pain
Blood clots.
As pancreatic cancer progresses, it can cause a bunch of different problems, like:Weight loss. People with pancreatic cancer might lose weight because the cancer uses more of the body's energy.Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments or a cancer pressing on the stomach might make it hard to eat.Sometimes the body has trouble getting nutrients from food because the pancreas isn't making enough digestive juices.Jaundice.Pancreatic cancer that blocks the liver's bile duct can cause jaundice. Jaundice can make your skin and eyes go yellow, and your pee dark and your poo pale. It often doesn't cause belly pain.If the bile duct is blocked, a plastic or metal tube called a stent can be put inside it to keep it open.This is done using a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, also called ERCP.
During the procedure, a healthcare professional will put a long tube with a tiny camera, called an endoscope, down your throat. This goes through your stomach and into the upper part of the small intestine. They'll then put a dye into the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts through a small tube that fits through the endoscope. This dye helps the ducts show up on imaging tests. They use these images to place a stent in the duct to keep it open.
Pain.A growing tumour can press on nerves in your abdomen, causing pain that can get pretty bad.Pain medications can help you feel more comfortable.Treatments like radiation and chemotherapy might help slow tumour growth and provide some pain relief.
When medicines aren't helping, a healthcare professional might suggest a celiac plexus block. This involves using a needle to inject alcohol into the nerves that control pain in the stomach, which stops them from sending pain signals to the brain.
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