Health Tips

Pancreatic Cancers:-
The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system. It lies near the stomach and small intestine, two key positions or functions. Exocrine pancreas makes enzymes that help digest food, and pancreatic endocrine glands produce hormones that have several diverse functions. Pancreatic cancer can occur in the exocrine pancreas (the classic pancreatic adenocarcinomas) or endocrine glands in the pancreas. This section will discuss the exocrine pancreatic cancer.

Exocrine pancreatic cancer is a very serious health issue in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 38,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 34,000 people die from the disease every year.

Due to difficulties in diagnosis, the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer, and systemic treatments available are limited, and a five-year rate of survival (number of patients who are alive 5 years after diagnosis) for patients with pancreatic Adenokarsinoma only about 5%.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths of deaths in the United States. Because many of the patients diagnosed with breast cancer of the pancreas have a poor prognosis, it is very important that patients and provide them the opportunity to participate in clinical trials. Patients who suffer from pancreatic cancer should talk with your doctor about clinical trials that are available.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer:-

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is usually delayed because of non-specific symptoms, often attributed to another condition. In some cases, patients do not even notice a gradual emergence of symptoms.

Jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin, exists in about 50% of patients at the time of diagnosis may be associated with less advanced disease. Other symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, hyper-sensitivity to glucose.

In addition, the patient can experience pain in the abdomen and back. The pancreas may produce too much insulin, causing symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, diarrhea, chills, or muscle spasms.

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer:-
If pancreatic cancer is suspected, the first step in implementing a series of tests. Imaging tests often are used to produce pictures of internal organs and tissues. If these tests detect pancreatic cancer that appears to be resectable (see Section staging), and surgery is often the next step. In some cases, tumor mark California 19-9 (cancer antigen) test can also be performed.

Has the following diagnostic tests can be used to assist in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer:

* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and in this test, the patient passes through a tunnel surrounded by a powerful magnet and a computer tracks and produces magnetic images of the tissue being studied.

* Upper GI (gastrointestinal) series, in this procedure, the patient swallows a solution that contains the contrast barium metal. While the solution is in the digestive system, and X-rays taken to detect abnormalities.

* Central computerized tomography (CT scan or CT scan), and this is a specialized agency of the X-ray technique that produces detailed cross-sectional pictures of internal organs and tissues.

* Ultrasound, This test uses high-frequency sound waves that bounce structures in the patient's body. Computer translates these echoes in the form of ultrasound.

If imaging tests to detect an abnormality that warrants further investigation, it may be a biopsy. In the biopsy, a sample of tissue is removed and examined for cancer cells.

One method to obtain a sample of tissue is a biopsy needle. In this procedure, the surgeon and the inclusion of a needle into the abdomen, guided by the imaging technique, and removes a small sample of the fabric of the pancreas. Laparoscopy, which involves the use of a device called a laparoscope to remove a small piece of the fabric of the pancreas, can also be performed.

In the laboratory, and pathologists (doctors who specialize in the diagnosis of diseases) can be evaluated for the growth of the sample is not normal. If there is a tumor (abnormal mass of cells), it may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancerous).

When the patient is suffering from pancreatic cancer, a group tumors determine the best course of action. This health care team may include medical oncologists (doctors specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer), radiation oncology (physicians who perform radiation therapy), endocrine (doctors who specialize in hormones and the glands that produce them).

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment:-

The choice of treatment for pancreatic cancer depends largely on the stage of the disease. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and biological therapy (also known as immune system). In pancreatic cancer, and can lead to tumor growth, extraordinary levels of pressure on the nerves, which can cause pain. Pain is a major concern for patients who have pancreatic cancer. Treatments can help ease the pain at the boundary of the tumor (for example, by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation) reduces the pressure on the nerves.

More than without a prescription and drugs to relieve pain and a prescription can be used alone or in combination, to reduce the pain. Of the most common side effects in the treatment of pain and fatigue and constipation. Periods of rest and taking laxatives as directed by your doctor can moderate these side effects.

When pain medications alone are not effective, the Group may tumors may decide to use other treatments that affect the nerves directly. These treatments include injection of alcohol in the nerve response to curb the pain and surgically cutting the nerves to prevent the transfer of pain impulses.
Pancreatic cancer surgery:-

Surgery for pancreatic cancer is often used to treat cancer stage (1) This is resectable. In some cases, lead surgeon and amputation, which is to remove a small portion of the pancreas.

More surgery and extensive, and called for a Whipple, involves removal of the pancreas head and nearby structures (for example, the duodenum). It may also be necessary to remove the entire pancreas, as well as in the spleen, gallbladder, and bile duct. In some cases, the tumor can not be removed completely. Most experts believe that the partial removal is not useful.

In some cases, a combination of treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, given before or after surgery, can increase survival.

Any form of surgery of the potential side effects. Surgery to remove cancer in the pancreas and often involves a large incision in the abdomen. And can the healing process for major surgery is very concerned.

Postsurgical patients may experience pain, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and infection. Drugs are often used to treat side effects of surgery. Depending on factors such as patient's age and general health status, type of surgery, and the extent of the spread of cancer, side effects and recovery again vary greatly.

After undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis in many cases no longer produced in the digestive juices and hormones. This can lead to digestive problems and / or diabetes, conditions that may deal with changes in diet, medication, or hormone replacement therapy.