Pancreatic Cancer: Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis

Pancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen.

It has two main functions:

1. To produce enzymes that break down and absorb food
2. To produce hormones, such as insulin, that help regulate blood sugar levels.

Pancreatic cancer is relatively rare, accounting for about 3 percent of all cancers in the United States., but it is one of the deadliest forms of cancer because it is often not detected till the time it has spread to other organs, which is difficult to treat.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer

Exocrine and neuroendocrine tumours are the two types of pancreatic cancer.

Exocrine tumours make up about 95 percent of all pancreatic cancers and usually start in the cells that line the pancreatic duct (ductal adenocarcinomas).

Neuroendocrine tumours are much less common, making up about 5 percent of pancreatic cancers, and usually start in cells that produce hormones (islet cell tumours).

Several risk factors play a role in causing pancreatic cancer, including smoking, obesity, diabetes, age (55 or older), African-American race, and a family history of pancreatic cancer.

However, most people with these risk factors do not develop pancreatic cancer. Several symptoms are associated with pancreatic cancer, but they tend to be nonspecific and may resemble those of other conditions. They can include weight loss, fatigue, and pain.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

It is difficult to detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages because it often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. This is one of the reasons the disease is so deadly – by the time it’s diagnosed, it has often already spread to other body parts and therefore becomes difficult to treat.

However, there are some potential signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer that you should be aware of, which include:

• Jaundice
• dark urine
• light-coloured stool
• loss of appetite
• weight loss for no known reason
• pain in the abdomen or back pain

Causes of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer occurs when the pancreatic cells develop mutations in their DNA. These mutations allow the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumour. Several risk factors for pancreatic cancer include obesity, smoking, diabetes, and family history. However, the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown.

Who is at Risk for Pancreatic Cancer?

Anyone can develop pancreatic cancer, but certain risk factors may make it more likely. These include:

• Being over the age of 60
• A family history of pancreatic cancer
• Smoking cigarettes
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Certain ethnicities, such as African American or Ashkenazi Jewish

Stages of Pancreatic Cancer

Following are the stages of pancreatic cancer.

Stage 0: The cancer is confined to the inner lining of the pancreatic duct.

Stage I: Cancer has grown through the wall of the pancreatic duct into nearby tissues but has not spread to distant sites.

Stage II: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to distant sites.

Stage III: Cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes and/or organs.

Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

Though there are several ways to diagnose pancreatic cancer, the most common method is a combination of a physical exam, imaging tests, and biopsy. Your doctor will likely start with a physical exam and ask about your personal and family medical history.

They may also order one or more imaging tests, like a CT scan, an ultrasound, or MRI, for better visibility of the pancreas cancer. They will likely recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis if they suspect pancreatic cancer.

Treatment Options for Pancreatic Cancer

The most common treatments for pancreatic cancer include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Surgery is usually the first treatment modality that is used and is typically followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy kills cancer cells using high-energy beams. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.

Side Effects of Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anemia
• Pain

Prognosis for People With Pancreatic Cancer

The prognosis for people with pancreatic cancer is generally not very good. The survival rate for all stages of pancreatic cancer is only about 9%. This means that about 91% of people with pancreatic cancer will die.