A Look at The Root, Impact, and Remedy for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer affects pancreas; it is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. Out of all the glands in the bodies, pancreas is one of them. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and in front of the spine. Digestive juices and hormones that regulates body sugar are produced by pancreas. Exocrine pancreas cells are the cells that produce the digestive juices, while cells called endocrine pancreas cells produce the hormones. The majority of pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine cells. Fourth leading cause of the cancer deaths in United States is the ‘Pancreatic adenocarcinoma.’ The World Health Organization Cancer Research Center estimates that 277,000 cases of pancreatic cancer are nearly diagnosed each year from all over the world. It is being proven that pancreatic cancer is nearly diagnosed each year from all over the world. Pancreatic cancer is the 13th most common form of malignant tumor and the incidence rate in male is higher than in females. In developing countries over 60% of pancreatic cancer is occurring. From all over the world nearly 266,000 people die due to pancreatic cancer every year. The ratio between mortality and the incidence rate is higher is about 0.96%. The highest incident rate of pancreatic cancer is in Japan where it reaches about 16.9/100,000. Data from the National Cancer Institute proves that tumor of only 80% of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer are primary tumor diagnosis and the five-year relative survival rate is 21.5% in these patients. 27% of the patients have been found to have lymph node. Worldwide, pancreatic cancer is gradually increasing people in people along with prolonged life span.

The pancreas is a gland organ that is located in the abdomen. Pancreas produces important enzymes and hormones that help break down foods and it is part of the digestive system. As pancreas releases juices directly into the blood stream it has an endocrine function, and as it releases juices into ducts it has an exocrine function. Enzymes or digestive juices, produced by pancreas are secreted into small intestine to further break down food after food has left the stomach. Insulin hormone is also produced by pancreas then it is secreted to bloodstream for regulating body’s glucose or sugar level.

The pancreas is about 6 to 10 inches (18 to 25 cm) long organ that is located behind the stomach in the back of the abdomen. It is spongy and shaped somewhat like a fish that is extended horizontally across the abdomen. The largest part of the pancreas is its head and it lays on the right side of the abdomen where the stomach is attached to the first part of small intestine. About 95% of the tissues found in pancreas is exocrine. There are various kinds of diseases that affects the pancreas. Pancreatitis, inflammation of pancreas, happens when the enzymes located in pancreas starts digesting the pancreas itself. Other diseases that affects pancreas is Cystic fibrosis. It is a genetic disorder in which the tubes in pancreas are blocked by thin, sticky mucus. Pancreatic cancer is one of the diseases that affects pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer does not have any symptoms in early age. Symptoms are found in the later stages, but these can be non-specific, such as lack of appetite and losing weight. Patient can suffer from pain in the abdomen or middle back. Patient might suffer from fatigue in the whole body. Symptoms like dark urine, yellow skin and eyes, are also found in the patient. Pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until its advanced and difficult to treat. In the vast majority of cases, symptoms only develop after pancreatic cancer has grown and begun to spread. More than 95% of pancreatic cancer is the adenocarcinoma type. Pancreatic cancer tends to be silent and painless as it grows. By the time its large enough to cause symptoms, pancreatic cancer has generally grown outside the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer that occurs in the head of pancreas tends to have symptoms such as light stool (the duct draining bile into the intestine is blocked by pancreatic cancer, the stools may lose their brown color and become pale or grey colored), itching, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, nausea and vomiting as well. In the body or tail of the pancreas, pancreatic cancer causes belly and/or back pain and weight loss. Pancreatic cancer grows around important areas of digestive system, gastrointestinal. More than 80% of the people with pancreatic cancer eventually experience some abdominal pain. Pancreatic cancer also causes dull ache in the upper part of abdomen radiating to the back. The pain may come and go. People affected by pancreatic cancer sometimes have a sense of early fullness with the meals or an uncomfortable swelling in the abdomen. Elevated blood sugar may also occur. Some people with pancreatic cancer develop diabetes, as the cancer impairs the pancreas ability to produce the hormone named insulin. One study that surveyed 305 people with pancreatic cancer illustrated that about 4% reported about having a sudden disgust for preferred tests like (coffee, smoking or wine) that preceded other symptoms by more than 6 months. 50% of people have been found to have loss of appetite, a feeling of early fullness with meals or profound weakness, earlier than six months before more obvious symptoms developed. Out of these people, 1% of people had attacks of acute pancreatitis more than six months before them diagnose with pancreatic cancer. The rarity and consistent or worsening discomfort, are also disconcerting.

Researchers has been proved that no one understands the underlying causes of pancreatic cancer but certain risk factors have been identified. There are multiple pancreatic risk factors. About one in 76% people have chances to develop pancreatic cancer. 5% to 10% of people who tends to have pancreatic cancer have an immediate family member who also had it. Several different genes have been associated with the increased risks, although no “pancreatic gene” has been yet identified. Having a risk factor or even several risk factors does not really mean that the person will get the disease. Sometimes, many people who get the disease may have few or no risk factors. One of the most important risk factors for pancreatic cancer is smoking. The risk is twice as high among the smokers compared to those who have never smoked to get pancreatic cancer. About 20% to 30% of pancreatic cancers are thought to be caused by cigarettes smoking. The use of smokeless tobacco products, cigar and pipe smoking also increases the risk. One of the risk factors for pancreatic cancer is being overweight. Overweight people are about 20% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. People who carries extra weight around the waistline maybe a risk factor even in people who are not overweight. Heavy exposure to certain chemicals at work used in metal working industries and dry cleaning may also increase risk of pancreatic cancer. As the age of the person increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer also increases and goes up. All patients having pancreatic cancer are older than 45. About two thirds are at least 65 years old. Due to higher tobacco use in men, they are more likely to get affected by pancreatic cancer than women. African Americans are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than whites. The reason for this is still aren’t clear, but it might be due in part of having higher rates of some other risk factors for pancreatic cancer such as diabetes, overweight in women and smoking in men. Inherited gene that can be passed from parent to child may cause as many as 10% of pancreatic cancer. Studies have shown low levels of nutrients like Lycopene and Selenium has also developed pancreatic cancer. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that develops in people with liver damage from things like heavy alcohol use and hepatitis that also increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. The risk is also increased by infection of stomach with the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori. Excess stomach acid might also increase the risk, as suggested by some researchers. Even though it’s been not found from all studies some researchers have suggested that lack of physical activity might increase pancreatic cancer risk. Eliminating risk factors for pancreatic cancer doesn’t reduce the risk entirely, but eating the healthy diet, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising frequently can improve overall health and also reduces the risk of other health problems as well.

The diagnose of pancreatic cancer is more difficult than other tumors of the digestive system because the pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ. Pancreatic cancer may go undetected until its developed and its advanced. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer is usually relatively straightforward by the time symptoms occur. Unfortunately, a cure is rarely possible at that point. When someone comes to the doctor after experiencing weeks or months of symptoms, pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed. A doctor learns the story of the illness by taking the medical history such as the location of pain and its nature, time of onset, smoking history and other medical problems. During a physical examination, a doctor might feel a mass in the in the abdomen and notice swollen lymph nodes in the neck, jaundiced skin or weight loss. Multiple X-rays are taken by the scanner, and a computer reconstructs them into detailed images of the inside abdomen. Computer tomography (CT Scan) helps doctor make pancreatic cancer diagnose. Patients may have one or more of the tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using magnetic waves, scanner creates detailed images of the abdomen, in particular the areas around the pancreas, liver and gall bladder. Other way to diagnose the disease is by using a scope to create ultra sound pictures of pancreas. An Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) uses an ultra sound device to make images of pancreas from inside the abdomen. Sometimes to detect pancreatic cancer Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan) is performed. It is when the radioactive glucose is injected into veins is absorbed by cancer cells. Other tests like Cholangiopancreatography, Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy (SRS), Angiography (an X ray that looks at blood vessels), blood tests for exocrine pancreatic cancer and for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, tumor markers and biopsy also helps diagnose the pancreatic cancer.

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the age of patient as well as on the stage and location of cancer. Sometimes, the best option might include more than one type of treatment. The first goal of pancreatic cancer treatment is to eliminate the cancer, when possible. When eliminating isn’t the option, the focus is on preventing the pancreatic cancer from growing or causing more harm. The doctor can help the patient to relieve symptoms, and make you as comfortable as possible when pancreatic cancer is advanced and treatments aren’t likely to offer a benefit. There are many different treatment options for people with pancreatic cancer. Surgery can be an option if pancreatic cancer is confined to the pancreas. Operations may include surgery for tumors in the pancreatic head and surgery for tumor in the pancreatic tail and body. Patient may receive radiation treatments before or after cancer surgery. Radiation therapy uses high energy beams such as X-rays, to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy usually comes from a machine that moves around the patient, directing radiation to specific points on your body. Radiation therapy may be delivered during surgery. Another treatment for pancreatic cancer is Chemotherapy. It uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be injected into veins or taken orally. Chemotherapy can also be combined with radiation therapy, that can be known as ‘Chemo radiation.’ Targeted therapy is also one of the treatment for pancreatic cancer. It uses drugs that attacks specific abnormalities within cancer cells. Ablation or embolization treatments are also used in destroying cancer cells rather than removing them with surgery. When pancreatic cancer cells have spread to other sites, these treatments can often improve symptoms and help people live longer.

In summary, pancreatic cancer is being found to be the most clinically challenging malignancies when it comes to prevention, detection and therapy. Even with the best surgical efforts, pancreatic cancer is a disease with significant mortality. For many people with pancreatic cancer, treatment can remove or destroy the cancer. Patient suffering from pancreatic cancer should get emotional support. Some amount of feeling depressed, anxious, worried is normal when person is suffering from pancreatic cancer. Some people are affected more than other. But help and support can be beneficial to the patient from other people, whether friends, family, religious groups, support groups, professional counselors, or others. Pancreatic cancer can be prevent by stop smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and choosing a healthy diet. People should always learn what they need to know about their disease. They can assemble a support system and can even find someone to talk with. There are many organizations that provides information resources and support to pancreatic cancer patients and their families including referrals for treatment facilities, second opinions, and doctors across the United States.