Pancreatic Cancer: What You Need to Know

Recently, Hollywood lost superstar Patrick Swayze to pancreatic cancer. Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer very late, at stage IV and he was expected to survive for only five months. Swayze defied the odds, however, and battled pancreatic cancer for 20 months before passing away Monday, September 14, 2009. Prior to his death, Swayze helped to bring increased visibility to the disease. He advocated for of funds supporting research and a search for a cure of the disease.

The pancreas

The pancreas is a gland within the body that excretes enzymes that help digest foods. The pancreas also secretes insulin and glucagon, which serves an essential function in metabolizing carbohydrates. This organ is located near the top of the small intestine. The pancreas is susceptible to infection and the development of tumors and cysts. Insulin and pancreatic extracts can be utilized to maintain health in the event the pancreas has to be removed.

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic carcinoma or pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer afflicting the pancreas. Symptoms of the disease include, but are not limited to abdominal pain, back pain, depression, fatigue, indigestion, clay-color stools, lethargy, poor appetite, and weight loss. The majority of pancreatic tumors cannot be removed surgically. Tumors that cannot be removed, but have not spread to other organs may be treated with chemotherapy and radiation.

Risk factors

Several factors place individuals at greater risk for developing pancreatic carcinoma. Men are at greater risk of developing the disease than women. Smoking, age, and being obese are also important factors contributing to the development of pancreatic cancer.

Visit your doctor if you experience unexplained changes in your body

Because pancreatic cancer typically has a poor prognosis, it is essential that one seek medical advice as soon as possible. Many of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are vague and seem non-specific to disease of the pancreas. Ignoring symptoms will delay proper diagnosis and worsen prognosis. According to Mayo Clinic, it is important to pay one's doctor a visit should they lose weight without trying, experience pain in their abdominals, have loss of appetite, have yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), or experience any other symptom which causes discomfort or concern.

Diagnosis

Since symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often vague, doctors will utilize several medical tests to determine the cause of symptoms. If one suspects they have pancreatic disease, it is important to request tests that will confirm or rule out the disease. To identify pancreatic cancer, doctors can use various imaging tests like computer tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), biopsy, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). After making a diagnosis, one's doctor will want to determine the stage of the cancer or the extent to which it has metastasized or spread. Using a number of imaging tests, a bone scans, a CA19-9 blood test, and laparoscopy, doctors can determine whether the cancer is only affecting the pancreas (stage I), spread to areas near to the pancreas (stage II), spread to blood vessels and lymph nodes (stage III), or spread far into the body and affecting organs like the lungs or stomach lining (stage IV).

Support for patients with pancreatic cancer

Being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer can be devastating to the patient and their family. It is vital to seek support. A number of resources exist, which provide pancreatic cancer patients and their families with important information on the disease, contact with survivors and other patients, and stories of hope and inspiration. Individuals with cancer of the pancreas are encouraged to connect with individuals affected by the disease and to stay educated on news and public policy concerning pancreatic cancer.

Sources:

"Swayze: Outlived Most With Pancreatic Cancer". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PatrickSwayze/patrick-swayzes-death-shows-tough-pancreatic-cancer/story?id=8583819

"Patrick Swayze Dies of Pancreatic Cancer". WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/news/20090915/patrick-swayze-dies-of-pancreatic-cancer?page=2.

"Pancreas". Encyclopedia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/440971/pancreas.

"Pancreatic carcinoma". Google health. https://www.google.com/health/ref/Pancreatic+carcinoma.

"Pancreatic cancer: When to seek medical advice". MayoClinic.com. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pancreatic-cancer/DS00357/DSECTION=when-to-seek-medical-advice.

"Pancreatic cancer: Tests and diagnosis" MayoClinic.com. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pancreatic-cancer/DS00357/DSECTION=tests%2Dand%2Ddiagnosis.

"Support Services". PanCAN. http://www.pancan.org/Patient/support.html