Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
November is Pancreatic Awareness Month. Each year, approximately 43,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 37,000 die from this disease. Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of all major cancers with just 5 percent of those diagnosed living longer than 5 years. In fact, 75 percent of patients diagnosed will die within the first year.
Due to a lack of noticeable symptoms, pancreatic cancer often goes unnoticed in the early stages and is difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, it's only in the advanced stages that symptoms present themselves and a diagnosis is pursued. For this reason, pancreatic cancer is one of the more dangerous forms of cancer.
Ninety-five percent of all pancreatic tumors develop within the exocrine cells and duct cells. This type of cancer is called adenocarcinomas which are malignant tumors where cancer cells are arranged in a gland-like pattern.
The exact causes of pancreatic cancer are not known, but researches have identified several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease. These risk factors include: Age: Pancreatic cancer often occurs in people 50 and older, gender: Men are more susceptible than women, and race: African Americans have a higher risk than Hispanics, Caucasians, and Asians. Other risk factors include: cigarette smoking, obesity, poor diet, family history, diabetes mellitus, and hereditary chronic pancreatitis.
As mentioned before, the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are not felt in its early stages. Symptoms only start to appear when the tumor interferes with the normal functions of the stomach, liver and adjacent organs. When pancreatic cancer symptoms are felt, the most common signs include:
Jaundice
Abdomen and back pain
Weight Loss
Digestive problems
Gallbladder enlargement
Blood clots
Loss of appetite
Fatigue and exhaustion
Depression
There are 5 stages of pancreatic cancer with stage 5 being the most severe. The best way to diagnose a case of pancreatic cancer is with the help of an imaging device such as a CT scan, PET scan, MRI, ultrasound and others. Doctors might also use a CA 19-9 blood test, or proceed with a biopsy which removes a small amount of tissue for examination.
Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the tumor stage, location, patient's age and health. Surgery is often necessary and involves either a partial or whole removal of the pancreas. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are other treatment tools. Often, all three treatment methods are used.
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