Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer is a cancer of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer has the highest fatality rate of all known types of cancer. Following diagnosis, the chance of surviving for five years is below five percent.http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/pancreas.html Seventy five percent die within the first 12 months. http://www.pr.com/press-release/251370

The National Cancer Institute NCI’s SEER Cancer Statistics Review predicts 43,140 men and women (21,370 men and 21,770 women) will be diagnosed with and 36,800 men and women will die of cancer of the pancreas in 2010. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/pancreas.html

African American males have been more prone to getting the disease over other races and genders with an average rate of 16.7 per 100,000 of them getting pancreatic cancer sometime in their life as of 2007.http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/pancreas.html

In March of 2009, researchers reported that there could be a connection between blood type and pancreatic cancer. The research indicated that those with A, A-B, and especially B blood types have a significantly higher incident rate of pancreatic cancer over those with a blood type O.http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/news/20090310/blood-type-pancreatic-cancer-linked?src=RSS_PUBLIC Blood Type, Pancreatic Cancer Risk Linked

Pancreatic cancer can be treated, however, it is important to detect the disease early. Some of the common methods for treatment include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Oftentimes, if treatment is unsuccessful, a patient can be treated for the pain that pancreatic cancer causes. Strong pain medications have been proven to help with this, as well as acupuncture and certain types of herbal teas.http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_How_is_pancreatic_cancer_treated_34.asp?rnav=cri

Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer include weight loss of ten pounds or more, abdominal and/or back pain, and jaundice. Jaundice without pain may be an indicator of operable pancreatic cancer. Other, less common, symptoms include diabetes, high blood sugar, itching, nausea, swelling of the abdomen or bloating, appetite loss, a change in bowel movements and fever.http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-symptoms

It is mostly unknown as to what causes pancreatic cancer. The main instigator is when some DNA gets damaged in the pancreas, and as a result of this, cancer cells develop and multiply quickly, causing tumors. It's not clear what initially damages the DNA, but studies have shown that many pancreatic cancer patients suffer from mutations in the cells. These can be the result of either genetics or the environment, but further studies must be done to discover which factor is more relevant.http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/causes-pancreatic-cancer

The first thing that can clue a patient in on whether or not he or she has pancreatic cancer, is being proactive about noticing and checking out symptoms. A physical exam can reveal a mass in the center of the abdomen that may be indicative of pancreatic cancer. Imaging tests, such as abdominal ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography, are required for a more definitive diagnosis, followed by a biopsy and a blood test.

Depending on the nature, severity, and location of the tumor, surgery may be possible. Sometimes, however, a tumor can be inoperable, and other treatment options must be explored. Chemotherapy, both in conjunction with radiation therapy and without, may be used both to keep a surgically removed tumor from returning and to reduce an existing tumor.

There are different progressive stages of pancreatic cancer, and treatment depends on which stage a patient is currently in. Although there are 5 stages of pancreatic cancer, doctors categorize them into three separate categories in which to deal with treatment. In the first stage, resectable surgery is often possible. However, most people who are diagnosed with this cancer are done so well after this stage. The locally advanced stage comes next, in which chemotherapy and radiation are commonly used. Surgery is not able to remove the whole tumor in this stage, and taking out part of the tumor has been proven ineffective. In the last stage, neither surgery or radiation therapy can be of help. Chemo is often the only option.http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-treatments-stage?page=2

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have pancreatic cancer, please consult your doctor.