The pancreas is an organ belonging to the digestive system whose functions are related to the digestive process. As such, its function is to secrete enzymes and substances necessary to both digest and absorb nutrients from food, as well as to generate hormones such as insulin or glucagon, responsible for regulating the amount of glucose in the blood. This cancer consists of the formation of malignant cells in the tissues of the pancreas.
Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer
As a rule, the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are not detected until it is in an advanced stage of the disease. In the same way, suffering from these symptoms does not imply that you have pancreatic cancer, so the diagnosis must be offered by a specialist.
However, the main symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:
- Jaundice: the tone of the skin and eyes is yellowish.
- Weight loss: the absorption of nutrients does not take place correctly. It may be accompanied by lack of appetite and intestinal disturbances.
- Abdominal pain: it usually occurs in the upper abdomen, and the most acute episodes occur after eating and lying down.
- Dark urine and clay-colored stools: there is an obstruction of the bile duct that prevents its elimination. Its retention causes an increase in bilirubin, which produces the color change.
- Heavy digestion
- Pancreatitis
- Nausea and vomiting: if the tumor is located in the upper part of the pancreas, it can cause abdominal obstruction.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the least frequent malignant tumors, and its incidence is around 2.1% of cases.
Risk factors in pancreatic cancer/
- Age: the older the age, the greater the risk
- Race: in African-Americans it is more frequent.
- Diet: diets poor in vegetables and fruits and based on a lot of meat may increase the risk.
- Tobacco: 30% of cases are caused by smoking.
- Obesity: it is associated with an increased risk.
- Occupation: workers in constant contact with pesticides or oil have higher incidence rates.
- Genetics: about 10% of cases are caused by family history.
Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
To detect the presence of a tumor in the pancreas there are several tests, although the most common are listed below:
- Imaging study: tests such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
- Blood tests: liver function, tumor markers and bilirubin are analyzed.
- Biopsy: a sample of the organ is analyzed to detect the presence of a tumor.
Types of pancreatic cancer
Depending on the origin of the tumor there are two types, exocrine tumors and endocrine tumors.
- Exocrine tumors: these are the most frequent, representing 95% of the cases. The tumor develops in the ducts of the pancreas and are called ductal adenocarcinomas.
- Endocrine tumors: these account for 5% of all pancreatic cancers. The tumor may produce hormones, such as vipoma, insulinoma or glucagonoma.
Treatment of pancreatic cancer
There are several treatments, and the decision will vary according to the patient’s state of health, the stage of the tumor… The main methods are:
- Surgery: all or part of the pancreas is removed depending on the size and location of the tumor. It can be combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There are various techniques to remove the tumor.
- Laparoscopy: small incisions are made and a camera is introduced to assess the state of the tumor inside the abdomen. If it is small, it can be removed with this technique.
- Excisional surgery: both the organ – either partially or totally – and the adjacent lymph nodes are removed.
- Radiotherapy: X-rays are used to destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: drugs are used to destroy cancer cells.
- PIPAC: this is a novel technique based on applying intraperitoneal chemotherapy by means of aerosol and laparoscopy. It is applied in cases in which chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy cannot be applied. It is currently considered a palliative technique, although its clinical results are very encouraging since it extends both life expectancy and the patient’s quality of life.
The treatment options vary according to each patient. For more information, consult a specialist.