by Wayne Washenberger, PA
Approximately 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. This is slightly more common in men than in women. The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer generally occurs after age 45. There are many different types of pancreatic cancer, which will certainly affect the prognosis. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include nausea and vomiting, weight loss, back pain, abdominal pain, as well as jaundice. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer usually occur after the cancer has already begun and possibly spread.
The causes of pancreatic cancer are still unknown. There is a higher likelihood of development of pancreatic cancer in those who smoke. Pancreatic cancer develops when a cell in the pancreas acquires damage to its DNA that causes it to behave and multiply abnormally. A single cancer cell grows and divides rapidly, becoming a tumor that does not respect normal boundaries in the body. Eventually, the cells of the tumor travel elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This is called metastasis.
Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer usually involves history and physical exam. The patient will generally present with the symptoms, again, of abdominal pain, back pain, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Subsequently, laboratory studies as well as x-ray and CT scan are undertaken. Typically this demonstrates the tumor and diagnosis.
Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the type of cancer, the spread of cancer, and stage of cancer. It is a difficult cancer to treat and requires a referral to oncology for a treatment regimen
Pancreatic cancer has affected many thousands of people in the United States. Most of us know someone who has been diagnosed and subsequently died from this terrible disease. Early detection of pancreatic cancer is important. It still is a very difficult cancer to treat. Hopefully in the future further treatment regimens will be available to treat this type of cancer.