Pancreatic cancer is a comparatively uncommon cancer that affects the pancreas. The pancreas is a six inches long organ that looks like a leaf. It is situated on the backside of the abdomen, behind the stomach and liver. The pancreas produces hormones (most notable insulin) and pancreatic juices that help indigestion. When the cells of pancreas start to grow at a rapid rate and the cell growth becomes abnormal, it is called pancreatic cancer. Tumours from in the pancreas (in the internal or external region) and cause problems in the functions of this organ.
Doctors can advise undergoing surgery for removing the tumour or organ transplant, or endoscopic biliary stenting or chemotherapy or radiation treatment, etc. according to the stage and medical condition of the cancer patients.
Pancreatic cancer is often called a silent killer. Usually, it does not have definite syndromes until stage two of cancer. And often the symptoms are identical to symptoms of other minor diseases. That makes the treatment and diagnosis more difficult.
Pancreatic cancer is treatable if it is diagnosed in stage zero or stage one. But it is detected in later stages then doctors offer other treatments or unblock the ducts to give relief to the patient. Often doctors suggest palliative surgery because it helps the bile ducts to work properly and the additional digestive problems can be cured to some extent. Usually, a biliary stent is used to unblock the bile duct. Biliary stent manufacturers usually design starts in both metal and plastic and the patient can choose any of these two types.
Types of pancreatic cancer
There are two types of pancreatic cancer-
- Exocrine pancreatic cancer
The pancreas is made of mostly exocrine glands and cells. These cells produce pancreatic juices or enzymes. These enzymes help in digestion of fat and carbohydrate and protein. The pancreatic juice enters intestines and also helps in digestion in these organs. If cancer happens in these cells then it is called exocrine pancreatic cancer. This cancer is common among the two types.
2. Endocrine pancreatic cancer
Endocrine cells of the pancreas are known as islets of Langerhans. These cells produce hormones insulin and glucagon. These two hormones control the blood sugar level. It is rare. Functioning islet cells produce hormones. If tumours grow in these cells the tumour is generally benign. But in the case of non-functioning cell tumours, they are malignant in the most patient.
Symptoms
Since the tumours in the pancreas are very small in size, they do not cause symptoms in the early stages. In a later stage, some non-specific symptoms are seen. But these symptoms are really hard to detect. Some common symptoms are
- Abdominal pain- these happens because the tumours start to push against the nerves
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice- a syndrome where the bilirubin level in the blood becomes high. This higher bilirubin level causes the skin and white portion of the eye to become yellowish
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Grey stool
- Blood clots in terminal veins, portal blood vessels and deep and superficial veins in different parts of the body
- Clinical depression
Pancreatic cancer is curable. But often the treatment becomes impossible because the patient does not notice the symptoms. Hence if you have chronic jaundice or other asymptomatic; or your family has pancreatic cancer history you may visit a doctor to check if you have it or not.
