Causes
It is more common in smokers and in people who are obese. Almost a third of cases of pancreatic cancer are due to cigarette smoking.
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Paleness
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Clay-colored stools
- Depression
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal MRI
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Pancreatic biopsy
- Liver function tests
- Serum bilirubin
- At the time of diagnosis, only about 20% of pancreatic tumors can be removed by surgery. The standard procedure is called a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure).
- When the tumor is confined to the pancreas but cannot be removed, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be recommended.
- When the tumor has spread (metastasized) to other organs such as the liver, chemotherapy alone is usually used.
- For patients with biliary obstruction and when the tumor cannot be totally removed, the blockage must be relieved.
- Two approaches are used for this:
- Surgery
- Placement of a tiny metal tube (biliary stent), to relieve blockages during ERCP
- Management of pain and other symptoms is an important part of treating advanced pancreatic cancer.
This cancer has a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%, meaning 95% of the people diagnosed with it will not be alive 5 years later.
When to Contact a us:
- Loss of appetite
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Fatigue
- Stop smoking.
- Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Exercise regularly.