Oren Zarif
The pancreas makes juices that aid digestion and hormones that control blood sugar. Most pancreatic cancers start in exocrine cells.
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be upsetting. It’s important to have supportive care.
Treatment options include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Your doctors will decide which treatment is best for you.
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The pancreas is an oblong organ behind the stomach and spine. It makes juices that aid digestion and produces hormones to help regulate blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer is rare and symptoms are usually not clear and easy to recognise.
Most people with pancreatic cancer get a pain in the abdomen. The pain can start in the tummy (abdomen) area or in the back and spread to the middle of the body. It can be a dull pain that feels like it is boring into your skin. It can be made worse when you lie down, and it may be relieved if you sit forward. It can also be a constant pain that is not made better or worse by eating.
Other symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). This is caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood. Another symptom is a change in the colour of your urine and stool. This is because the cancer can stop bile from passing from the liver to the small intestine, and this may cause you to have darker pee and paler stool.
In some cases, the tumor can grow into or press on the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). This can block the flow of digested food from the stomach to the bowel and can cause fatty stools. Pain can be a problem because of this and doctors might use a procedure to inject alcohol into the nerves in your abdomen that control pain (celiac plexus block).
If your doctor suspects that you have pancreatic cancer, they will carry out tests to check for it. These will include a physical examination and a blood test to see how your liver is working. They might also do an ultrasound scan of your tummy to look for any lumps.
If the cancer hasn’t spread to other parts of the body, surgery might be able to remove it from the pancreas. But the cancer is more likely to have spread by the time it is diagnosed, and about 52% of people have advanced pancreatic cancer when they are diagnosed.
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Pancreatic cancer is hard to diagnose. It often grows slowly and causes few symptoms, such as yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) or pain in the abdomen or back. It is also hidden behind other organs in the tummy (abdomen). Health care providers use a physical exam, blood tests and imaging exams to find the cause of these signs and symptoms.
The main risk factors for pancreatic cancer are smoking and having a family history of the disease. It can also happen when a person has a faulty gene that increases the chance of getting the disease.
A doctor may order a few blood tests to check how well your liver and kidneys are working. They may also order an ultrasound of your tummy (abdomen). This test uses sound waves to create images of the inside of your body. It can help find a tumor in the head of the pancreas and see how far it has grown. It can also show whether the tumor is pushing against other organs.
Another type of scan is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the inside of your body. A special dye might be used to help see the area better. This is called a contrast medium and can be given as a liquid to swallow or injected into a vein (IV). Another MRI test, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, is an x-ray of the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and from the gallbladder to the small intestine. This test can help find out if a pancreatic cancer is blocking these ducts, which can lead to jaundice.
If your blood tests and imaging tests suggest that you might have pancreatic cancer, your doctor will want to remove a small piece of tissue from the area and look at it under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. The doctor might do a surgical biopsy, which is when they cut out the tumor through a small cut in your tummy (laparoscopy).
Some doctors might try a different way to get the tissue sample, such as by passing a thin flexible tube (endoscope) down into the first part of your small bowel (duodenum). They can then see the pancreas and other parts of your tummy to take a tissue sample.
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Pancreatic cancer is hard to diagnose, because it often doesn’t cause symptoms until it has grown very large. When it does, the symptoms include pain in the abdomen and back, weight loss, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). The first step is to see your doctor. He or she will ask about your past health problems and do a physical exam. The doctor may feel a lump in your abdomen or notice swollen lymph nodes in your neck. The doctor will also order blood tests, imaging tests, and a biopsy to check for pancreatic cancer.
Most cases of pancreatic cancer occur in the part of the pancreas that makes digestive enzymes. These are called exocrine tumors. Most of these are adenocarcinoma, which develops from the cells that line the ducts of the pancreas. Adenocarcinoma can spread to other parts of the body, usually to the liver. Some adenocarcinoma can grow into the tissue that surrounds the pancreas, and this can affect how well the pancreas works. These are called squamous cell carcinoma and are less common.
The earliest pancreatic cancers, which are stage I or II, are sometimes resectable. This means the surgeon can remove the part of the pancreas with the tumor and surrounding tissue. This increases the chance of a cure. But the cancer can still grow back, even after surgery.
When the cancer is more advanced, it is called stage III or IV. Cancer that has spread from the pancreas to other parts of the body is called metastatic disease. Most people with metastatic pancreatic cancer die from the disease or from other causes such as infections.
For patients with a resectable pancreatic cancer, the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. This can be done with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. There are many types of chemotherapy drugs, and combinations are often used. Targeted therapy is a type of chemotherapy that uses drugs to identify and attack specific cancer cells. For example, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) block signals that cancer cells use to grow.
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Pancreatic cancer is a very difficult and deadly disease. Currently, it has the lowest survival rate of any major cancer and is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It is not clear what causes it, but there are many things that can increase a person’s risk. Some of these risk factors, such as age and genetics, are out of a person’s control. However, some are under a person’s control, such as diet and smoking.
Smoking increases your risk of pancreatic cancer significantly. In fact, smoking accounts for 20 to 35 percent of all cases of pancreatic cancer. Heavy alcohol use may also be linked to the development of pancreatic cancer as it can lead to recurrent chronic pancreatitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the pancreas and can be hereditary or caused by drinking too much alcohol over time.
Diabetes is another factor that can raise your chances of developing pancreatic cancer. The more years of diabetes you have, the greater your risk of developing this disease. This is because the condition can increase your chance of developing fatty liver, which can be a sign of pancreatic cancer.
Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of pancreatic cancer as well. The best way to reduce your weight is to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. This includes eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein from poultry or fish. It is also recommended that you limit your consumption of red meat and processed meats, which have been linked to pancreatic cancer.
There are also specialized screening tools, like magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), that can help identify people at high risk for pancreatic cancer. If you have a family history of hereditary pancreatic cancer or mutations in certain genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CDKN2A, ATM, MLH1, MSH6, PMS2, STK11/LKB1, P16, P53, FANC-C, and FANC-G, you should discuss genetic testing with your doctor.
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Pancreatic cancer symptoms are changes in your body that signal a medical problem. Symptoms and signs can be different for each person.
A common symptom is pain in the abdomen or back that comes and goes. This is usually caused by a tumor in the body or tail of your pancreas pressing on the spine.
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When a pancreatic cancer tumour grows it may push against the stomach and small intestine. This can cause a block in the digestive tract and symptoms like pain, nausea and weight loss. It can also cause jaundice which is when the skin and whites of the eyes become yellow. The bile (a fluid made in the liver) passes into the small intestine but when a tumor is in the head of the pancreas it can be blocked and the bile ends up in your bloodstream, which then makes your skin and stools look yellow. The symptom of jaundice is often the first sign of pancreatic cancer that people notice but it can also be caused by gallstones, alcohol consumption or certain medications.
GPs (family doctors) usually arrange the first tests to check for a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. They will examine your tummy and ask about any symptoms you have. They may recommend a blood test and a biopsy which involves taking a small sample of tissue from where the doctor thinks the cancer is growing.
If a GP thinks that you have pancreatic cancer they will refer you to a specialist, normally a gastroenterologist or surgeon. They will ask for a further set of tests and may be joined by other health professionals, such as a dietician and a radiologist, to discuss your care and treatment options at what is called an MDT meeting.
Sometimes a pancreatic cancer tumour can cause a blocked duct which can lead to symptoms such as jaundice and pain. A test called an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be used to check for the blockage by x-raying the ducts that carry bile from the liver, gallbladder and the bile duct into the small intestine. If this shows that the bile is being prevented from reaching your intestines, a procedure to put a tube into the duct (a biliary drain or stent) may be done.
If a pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, chemotherapy may be used to try to kill the cancer cells and to help manage any other symptoms you have, such as pain, loss of appetite or itching. This is often combined with surgery or radiation therapy to try to kill the cancer cells that have spread (metastasized).
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Pain in the abdomen or back may occur when a tumor grows and presses on nerves near the pancreas. It may also occur if the cancer spreads to other organs that control your stomach or intestines, such as the liver. If the pain gets severe, your doctor might prescribe pain medicine or a procedure called celiac plexus block, in which alcohol is injected into the nerves that control pain in your stomach (see the PDQ summary on Pain).
If a cancer starts in the part of your pancreas that produces digestive enzymes, known as the exocrine pancreas, you may have nausea and vomiting. Those enzymes help digest your food as it enters your small intestine. Some types of exocrine pancreatic cancer, such as acinar cell carcinoma, grow quickly and may overproduce these chemicals, which can cause a pancreatic attack.
Cancer that grows in the body or tail of your pancreas often presses on ducts that carry bile from your gallbladder to the first part of the small intestine. This can block the flow of bile and cause jaundice. If a tumor grows large enough, it might also start pressing on your liver, which can worsen jaundice.
Sometimes pancreatic cancer spreads to the lungs or other parts of your body, such as the bones. When this happens, it’s called metastatic pancreatic cancer. You may not have any symptoms, but your doctor can measure the size of the tumor in these other places with imaging tests.
Some people with metastatic pancreatic cancer develop blood clots in the deep veins of their legs or in their lungs, called a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. These clots may be the first sign of pancreatic cancer in some people.
Because cancer in the pancreas is so hard to find, it can be a very difficult disease to treat. Chemotherapy and radiation can sometimes shrink the tumor for a while. However, it’s unlikely to cure your pancreatic cancer or stop it from growing again. You might need other treatments, such as surgery, to keep you comfortable and healthy for as long as possible.
Oren Zarif
The pancreas is an oblong organ that is located behind the stomach. It releases (secretes) hormones that control blood sugar and helps digest food. It also makes juices that help the body absorb nutrients. Cancer that begins in the exocrine cells that line the ducts of the pancreas is called pancreatic adenocarcinoma, while cancer that starts in the endocrine cells that make and release hormones into the bloodstream is called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor or NET.
Your doctor will check you for symptoms of pancreatic cancer by doing a physical exam and asking questions about your past health. They may want to test your urine or ask you to take a blood sample. They may also use imaging tests to look for a pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is hard to catch early because it often doesn’t cause symptoms until it has advanced. It is also difficult to find because it can be hidden behind other organs in your abdomen. If a pancreatic cancer causes symptoms, they usually include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), pain in your back and belly, and weight loss.
When a pancreatic cancer grows into the head of the pancreas and blocks the common bile duct, it can block the flow of bile into your small intestine (duodenum). This causes a condition known as obstructive jaundice. It can lead to a deep-felt itching in the tummy (abdomen).
Some people with early-stage pancreatic cancer may lose weight even though they are eating enough. This is because the tumor can interfere with the production of key digestive enzymes. A study by MIT and Dana-Farber researchers found that mice with early pancreatic cancers lost weight because the tumors prevented their bodies from making the digestive enzymes they needed.
The type and stage of your cancer determines how it will be treated. Some types of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer, can be screened with routine mammograms or stool samples. But because pancreatic cancer is harder to find, doctors typically only scan for it if you have symptoms. These tests include a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They might also use ultrasound or a technique that uses a special dye to get clearer pictures of your pancreas.
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A loss of appetite is common in people with pancreatic cancer. This is because the tumour can block the flow of bile, which helps to digest food. It may also cause pain in the tummy (abdomen). It is important to tell your doctor if you have this symptom. They will examine you and ask about your symptoms. They may want to do a blood test and a CT scan of your tummy. These tests will check if the tumour is causing the problem.
Cancer can spread to other parts of the body before it is diagnosed. This is called metastasis. The areas where the cancer has spread to may show different symptoms. These are usually less serious than the symptoms from the pancreas itself.
In some cases, the cancer can affect the nerves around the stomach and the gallbladder. This can cause pain. There are also treatments that can help to relieve the pain, such as medicine that acts on the nerves or radiotherapy.
The pain in pancreatic cancer often comes and goes, so you may not notice it as much as other symptoms. If you do notice it, the pain may be worse after eating or if you are stressed. The pain can also be felt in the back and abdomen.
Tumors in the head of the pancreas tend to produce symptoms sooner than those in the body and tail. These symptoms include pain in the tummy that comes and goes, a sense of fullness with meals (satiety), and a feeling of being bloated.
A tumor can sometimes block the bile duct and lead to jaundice. This is when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the body. Bilirubin is made in the liver when worn-out red blood cells are broken down. It normally leaves the liver through the common bile duct, passes through the pancreas, and is then eliminated from the body into the duodenum. A condition called deep-felt itching may also be present.
Some people with pancreatic cancer have pain that comes and goes and is worse after eating. This can be due to the location of the tumour or to other causes, such as indigestion or gastroparesis.
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A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be upsetting and confusing. It’s important to ask your healthcare team questions and seek support services.
We can treat your symptoms and improve your quality of life by removing the tumor (resectable) or placing a tube to drain bile (non-resectable). We may also recommend chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to treat, because it often spreads before doctors can remove the tumor. Doctors use a system called resectability staging to determine whether or not a patient’s pancreatic cancer can be removed surgically. The stages of pancreatic cancer are determined by where the tumor is located within the organ and how far it has grown.
In general, stage 1 or 2 pancreatic cancers are resectable. This means the cancer has not spread and can be completely removed with surgery. If the cancer has reached nearby blood vessels, however, it is likely not resectable and would require more intensive treatment.
For those whose tumors are not resectable, doctors may recommend a procedure known as a Whipple procedure. This is an operation that involves removing the head of the pancreas, the duodenum (the first part of your small intestine), the gallbladder, and a portion of your bile duct. During the surgery, your doctor will also remove any lymph nodes that are near the cancer and will reattach your intestines to your pancreas so they can start working again.
Your doctor may also suggest radiation therapy after surgery. This is done to destroy any remaining cancer cells and to help prevent a recurrence of the tumor. Usually, this is combined with chemotherapy and may be given before or after surgery.
Chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing. It is often used before or after surgery, and may be given as a combination with radiation therapy to improve your chances of having the whole tumor removed. If your cancer recurs, your doctor may try another medication or give you radiation therapy again. They may also suggest you participate in a clinical trial that is exploring new ways to treat pancreatic cancer. These trials are designed to test treatments that might be able to cure your cancer or at least prolong your life. Your doctor will explain the options and help you decide which ones are best for you. They will take into account your medical history, personal preferences, and health.
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For people with stage 3 or 4 pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy may be part of their treatment plan. It uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing or spreading.
Doctors usually use a combination of medications to treat pancreatic cancer. They might give these drugs before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) or after surgery to help reduce the size of the tumor and improve the chance that surgeons can remove it completely with clear margins. They might also combine it with radiation therapy (chemoradiation) to help shrink the tumor and relieve symptoms for patients who can’t have surgery or whose pancreatic cancer has spread to other parts of their body.
Chemotherapy is usually a systemic therapy that travels through your bloodstream to kill cancer cells throughout your body. This type of treatment can cause side effects such as hair loss, changes in appetite and fatigue. It may be given through an intravenous tube (IV) or in a pill that you swallow by mouth. Your doctor will recommend the doses and schedule of chemotherapy for you based on your health, the type and stage of your cancer and other factors.
Some types of chemotherapy drugs target specific mutations in your cancer cells. For example, larotrectinib (Vitrakvi) and entrectinib (Rozlytrek) target a particular mutation called the NTRK fusion. Doctors are still learning how to best use these medications in combination with other therapies, including radiation and immunotherapy, to treat pancreatic cancer.
When used alone, standard chemotherapy doesn’t work very well against PDAC. However, a new combination of chemotherapy and an immunotherapy designed to unleash the immune system worked against a metastatic form of pancreatic cancer in a recent clinical trial.
The study, called PREOPANC-1, is ongoing. But its results were so promising that many doctors will now give neoadjuvant chemotherapy to people with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. This might increase their chances of having the whole tumor removed surgically and help them live longer. It’s important to talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for your individual case.
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Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and reduce the size of a tumor. It can be given before surgery to shrink a tumor and make it easier for the surgeon to remove, or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. It can also be combined with chemotherapy, which is called chemoradiation.
Some pancreatic cancers are resectable. This means the surgeon can remove part or all of the tumor. Almost all stage 1 and 2 tumors are resectable, as are some stage 3 tumors. Stage 4 tumors are often unresectable and are treated with radiation therapy or a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.
Surgery alone rarely cures pancreatic cancer, so other treatments are needed. Chemotherapy is used to stop cancer cells from growing and spreading, and it may be given before or after surgery. It is also used to treat patients who have recurrent pancreatic cancer (a disease that comes back in the pancreas or elsewhere in the body).
In some cases, systemic therapy (drugs that are taken by mouth or vein) is added to radiotherapy to increase a patient’s chance of a better outcome. These drugs are called neoadjuvant therapy and are usually given before surgery to shrink a tumor or to help destroy any remaining cancer after surgery.
Radiation can also be used to control pain or to help diagnose the type of pancreatic cancer a person has. In this case, it is given as a series of short, daily treatments that last 10 to 15 minutes. This treatment is typically given Monday to Friday and lasts for several weeks.
For more advanced pancreatic cancers, doctors are studying shorter treatments of higher doses of radiation that can be delivered in fewer sessions over as few as five days. This newer approach is called stereotactic body radiation therapy or cyberknife and can be a good option for some people with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
Many people who have radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer have few or no side effects, but each person’s experience is different. It is important to talk to your doctor about the possible side effects of this treatment. You can also ask your doctor about clinical trials that are testing new ways to improve treatment for pancreatic cancer.
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Your doctor will discuss the types of treatment (also called therapies) that are best for you. You and your doctor will talk about the benefits of each option, as well as the possible side effects.
You may also want to ask your doctor about clinical trials. These are research studies that evaluate new treatments for pancreatic cancer.
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be very distressing. Many people feel shock, anger, sadness or confusion. These feelings are normal. Talking with your doctor and family can help you cope with these emotions. You can also find support from groups for people with pancreatic cancer and their families.
The standard of care for pancreatic cancer is chemotherapy. Your doctor will choose the type of chemotherapy that is best for you, based on your cancer and other factors. Chemotherapy is used before or after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that might remain. It is also given to reduce the chance of cancer coming back after surgery.
Common chemotherapy drugs used to treat pancreatic adenocarcinoma include gemcitabine (Gemzar), nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane), oxaliplatin (Eloxin), irinotecan (Neosar) and docetaxel (Taxotere).
For locally advanced or metastatic disease, the most commonly used drug is erlotinib (Tarceva). It is given in combination with the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. Erlotinib blocks a protein that helps cancer cells grow and spread. It is taken as a pill, usually once or twice a day. Common side effects of erlotinib include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and a skin rash.
If your cancer is borderline resectable or stage 2B, you may have neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor. This can make it easier for the surgeon to remove the tumor.
After surgery, radiation therapy can be used to help control any remaining cancer cells and relieve symptoms. Your doctor will decide if you should have radiation after surgery or before chemotherapy.
If your pancreatic cancer comes back after surgery or if it is in a very advanced stage, you might be able to take part in a clinical trial that is studying immunotherapy approaches. These are treatments that use your own immune system to fight the cancer.
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The pancreas is about 6 inches long and looks like a thin pear lying on its side. It produces juices that help digest food and hormones such as insulin and glucagon that regulate blood sugar.
Most cases of pancreatic cancer start in the lining of ducts and cells that produce digestive enzymes. This type of cancer is called adenocarcinoma.
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Most cancers in the pancreas begin in cells that line ducts and make juices that help digest food. These are called exocrine cells. About 95% of pancreatic cancer starts in these cells, most often as adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma is not unique to the pancreas, but it grows in glandular tissue that lines internal organs. The most common type of pancreatic adenocarcinoma begins in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices to the intestines and is known as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Less often, this type of cancer develops in the clusters of cells that produce the digestive enzymes (acini). This is called acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma can also start in other places, such as the stroma of the pancreas. Stroma is the connective tissue that supports and protects the cells of the pancreas. It can develop into tumors that interfere with the function of the pancreas and cause symptoms, such as pain and weight loss. The stroma of the pancreas can also form cysts and enlarged lymph nodes, which are also common features of adenocarcinoma.
There are other types of exocrine pancreatic cancer that have less common names, such as adenosquamous carcinoma, colloid carcinoma, hepatoid carcinoma, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, solid and pseudopapillary tumors, signet ring cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Some of these may grow slowly and not cause any symptoms, while others might grow faster than normal or spread to nearby tissues more quickly than usual.
These tumors are more likely to be diagnosed early than pancreatic adenocarcinoma and might have better outcomes, but they can still spread to other parts of the body and are more difficult to treat. They might be found by chance, when the doctor uses an X-ray or CT scan for another reason and finds a tumor. Symptoms of these tumors might include abdominal pain, bloating, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). If a doctor suspects you have a cyst or other precancerous lesion, they will use special imaging tests to find out if it is cancer. These might include a CT scan and an ultrasound of the abdomen. They might also use a biopsy to take samples of the tumor and send them to a lab for testing.
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The pancreas is a gland in your abdomen that produces digestive juices and hormones. Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the pancreas start to grow out of control and form a growth (tumor). The tumor can affect your digestive system or spread to other parts of the body. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma, which starts in the lining of the ducts that produce pancreatic enzymes. Adenocarcinoma makes up more than 90 percent of all pancreatic cancer diagnoses. Other less common types of pancreatic cancer include acinar cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, pseudopapillary neoplasms, serous cystadenoma, signet ring cell carcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma.
A rarer type of pancreatic cancer, called neuroendocrine tumors, develops from the cells that make and secrete certain hormones in the pancreas. These hormones control the movement of substances such as calcium, fatty acids, and glucose throughout your body. Neuroendocrine tumors account for less than 5 percent of all pancreatic cancer cases. They can be either functional or nonfunctional, depending on what hormones they secrete. Functional tumors, which secrete excess hormones that cause signs and symptoms, are more common and include insulinomas, glucagonomas, VIPomas, and somatostatinomas. Nonfunctional tumors do not secrete excess hormones and are more likely to be malignant.
If a neuroendocrine tumor becomes malignant, it can spread to other parts of the body through the lymph system or blood vessels. The cancer cells can also grow into other tissues and form new tumors, which are called metastases. These metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors can be found in the liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract.
The prognosis for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor depends on the type, grade, and stage of the cancer when diagnosed. The disease is easier to treat if it is diagnosed in the early stages, when the tumor is smaller. Health care providers can diagnose a pNET by taking tissue or fluid from the pancreas and examining it under a microscope. They might also use a blood test to measure your levels of certain hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. If these tests are positive, your health care provider may do other tests to confirm the diagnosis and help decide on treatment options.
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Pancreatic cancer is hard to catch because it doesn’t usually cause symptoms until it has progressed. When it does, they are often vague and go unnoticed. That’s why it’s often diagnosed in the late stages when it is difficult to treat.
Pancreatic tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign ones are not cancer and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, grow quickly and may affect nearby tissues and organs. They can also develop their own blood vessels to supply them with nutrients. This process is called angiogenesis and it allows the tumor to grow faster and spread.
Doctors use several different tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer, including physical exams, imaging tests and a biopsy. The results of these tests determine the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread. This information is important when deciding on a treatment plan.
The most common type of exocrine tumor is pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This cancer starts in the cells that line the pancreatic duct. It accounts for about 95% of all pancreatic tumors. Other types of exocrine tumors include acinar cell carcinoma, adenosquamos carcinoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.
Less than 10% of all pancreatic tumors are endocrine tumors, which begin in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. These cells are located in the islets of Langerhans. Endocrine tumors that begin in these cells are called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Other types of endocrine tumors include carcinoid tumors, islet cell carcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm.
Doctors decide how to treat a pancreatic cancer based on the stage of the cancer, the type of tumor and its grade. They also consider your age, health and medical history.
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be upsetting. Your emotions are normal and it is important to talk about them with your family, friends or support group. You can also ask for genetic testing to find out if there is a hereditary link. Genetic testing can help doctors prevent pancreatic cancer or find a treatment that is most effective for you.
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Pancreatic cancer is the abnormal growth of cells that forms a tumor in the pancreas, which sits behind the stomach and in front of the spine. The pancreas has two functions: it makes enzymes to help the body digest food and it releases hormones such as insulin that regulates blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer grows quickly and can spread to other parts of the body before it is discovered. This type of cancer is difficult to treat and usually doesn’t cause symptoms until it is in a late stage.
There is no known way to prevent pancreatic cancer, but researchers are looking into things that may increase a person’s risk. Smoking tobacco and having heavy alcohol consumption both appear to be linked with a person’s risk for developing this disease. People who have had chronic pancreatitis or a hereditary pancreatic disorder may also be at higher risk for pancreatic cancer.
The first type of pancreatic cancer, called exocrine tumors, starts in the cells that produce pancreatic enzymes to help the body digest food. It accounts for more than 90 percent of all pancreatic cancers. Most people develop this type of cancer when the cells that make pancreatic enzymes begin to grow abnormally. If a tumor begins in the ducts that create these enzymes, it is called ductal adenocarcinoma. Less often, a tumor may start in the cells that create the pancreatic enzymes themselves, which is called acinar cell carcinoma.
A rare type of pancreatic cancer, called neuroendocrine tumors, starts in the endocrine cells that release hormones into the blood. These hormones control many body functions, including growth, reproduction, sleep, hunger and metabolism. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, which are sometimes referred to as pancreatic NETs or islet cell carcinoma, account for less than 10 percent of all pancreatic cancers.
A person who has any of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer should contact their doctor right away. They should especially seek medical care if they develop jaundice, which is a sign of pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver and gallbladder. Those who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will be given a prognosis, which is an estimate of their chance for survival.