WHAT IS PANCREATIC CANCER?
Pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon. Pancreatic cancer begins when cells in the pancreas start to grow uncontrollably. It is an aggressive form of cancer.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PANCREATIC CANCER?
There are several types of pancreatic cancer but more than 9 in 10 cases are ductal adenocarcinomas.
In ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, cancer develops from a cell which becomes cancerous in the pancreatic duct. This multiplies and a tumour then develops in and around the duct.
There are some rare types of cancer which arise from other types of cells within the pancreas. For example, cells in the pancreas that make insulin or glucagon can become cancerous (insulinomas and glucagonomas). These behave differently to ductal adenocarcinoma.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR PANCREATIC CANCER?
Certain risk factors increase the chance that pancreatic cancer may develop. These include:
- It is more common in people aged over 60
- Smoking
- Eating a diet high in fat and meat seems to increase the risk
- Obesity.
- Persistent inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis).
- Diabetes
- Heavy exposure at work to certain pesticides, dyes and chemicals used in metal refining may increase the risk.
- Some families have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer than average. It is thought that about 1 in 10 pancreatic cancers are due to inheriting an abnormal gene.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PANCREATIC CANCER?
In about 7 in 10 cases the tumour first develops in the head of the pancreas. This stops the flow of bile into the first part of the gut, known as the duodenum, which leads to:
- Yellow Skin (Jaundice): Caused by bile seeping into the bloodstream due to the blockage.
- Dark Urine: Caused by the jaundiced blood being filtered by the kidneys.
- Pale Stools: As the faeces contain no bile which causes their normal brown colour.
- Generalised Itch: Caused by the bile in the bloodstream.
Feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting) are also fairly common symptoms. Other symptoms include:
- Pain in the upper tummy (abdomen). Pain can also pass through to the back.
- You may feel generally unwell and lose weight. These symptoms are often the first to develop if the cancer develops in the body or tail of the pancreas (when the bile duct is not blocked).
- You may not digest food very well, as the amount of pancreatic fluid will be reduced. This can cause smelly pale faeces and weight loss.
- Rarely, diabetes develops if nearly all the pancreas is damaged by the tumour.
- Rarely, a tumour can trigger inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). This can cause severe abdominal pain.
HOW IS PANCREATIC CANCER DIAGNOSED?
If you are confirmed to have pancreatic cancer, or it is strongly suspected from the initial tests, further tests may be done to assess if it has spread. For example:
- A computerised tomography (CT) is a specialised X-ray test that can give quite clear pictures of the inside of your pancreas.
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create computer pictures of tissues, organs and other structures inside your pancreas.
- An endoscopic ultrasound scan (EUS)used a thin, flexible, telescope with fibre-optic channels which allow light to shine down so the doctor or nurse can see inside.
- A chest X-ray
- A laparoscopy used a thin telescope with a light source is passed into the abdomen through a small cut (incision) in the skin.
- A biopsy is done wherein a small sample of tissue is removed and then examined under the microscope to look for abnormal cells.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PANCREATIC CANCER?
Treatment options that may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment advised for each case depends on various factors, such as how large the cancer is and whether it has spread (the stage of the cancer) and your general health.
Treatment may aim to cure the cancer. Some pancreatic cancers can be cured if they are treated in the early stages of the disease.
WHY KIMS?
At KIMS, one of the best cancer treatment hospitals in Hyderabad, your personal team of experts, which includes cancer specialist in Hyderabad, surgeons, radiologists, gastroenterologists and a specially trained support staff, communicates closely about your care for pancreatic cancer. As an important part of the care team, you are involved in every decision.
As one of the nation's largest pancreatic cancer treatment in Hyderabad, we are able to offer a variety of innovative treatments, including proton therapy and targeted therapies that help your body fight pancreatic cancer.