A brief overview of symptoms linked to pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer frequently does not present symptoms until it has progressed significantly. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Belly pain that spreads to the sides or back.
- Loss of appetite.
- Losing weight.
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
- Pale or floating stools.
- Dark urine.
- Itching.
- New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that is becoming harder to manage.
- Blood clots can lead to pain and swelling in an arm or leg (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
- Fatigue or weakness.
- Middle back pain that is persistent and worsens when lying down.
- Gas or bloating.
What exactly is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in your pancreas mutate and grow uncontrollably, leading to a tumor. Your pancreas, a gland in your abdomen, sits between your spine and stomach. It produces hormones that regulate blood sugar and enzymes essential for digestion.
Most pancreatic cancers originate in the pancreatic ducts. The primary pancreatic duct, known as the duct of Wirsung, connects your pancreas to the common bile duct.
Early-stage pancreatic tumors often go undetected on imaging tests, leading to diagnoses only after the cancer has spread (metastasis). Additionally, pancreatic cancer is resistant to many standard treatments, making it particularly difficult to treat.
What factors cause pancreatic cancer, and what risks are associated with it?
The causes of pancreatic cancer are not fully known. Doctors have identified some factors that could raise the risk of this type of cancer.
You might have a higher risk of getting it if:
- You are over 65 years of age (it is not very typical in those under 40).
- You have specific medical conditions, like chronic pancreatitis
- Your family has a history of pancreatic cancer or genetic changes, including mutations in the BRCA2 gene, Lynch syndrome, and FAMMM syndrome.
- You are a chronic smoker.
- You have type 2 diabetes.
- You are obese.
- You consume a large amount of alcohol.
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
Tests used to diagnose pancreatic cancer include:
- Imaging tests: These tests create images of the inside of the body. To diagnose pancreatic cancer, imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, and sometimes positron emission tomography (PET) scans are used.
- Blood tests: can identify proteins called tumor markers produced by pancreatic cancer cells. One standard marker for pancreatic cancer is CA19-9. Doctors often perform this test repeatedly during and after treatment to monitor the tumor’s response. However, not all pancreatic cancers produce elevated CA19-9 levels, making this test ineffective for some patients.
- Genetic Testing: If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, consult your healthcare team about genetic testing. This test, which uses a blood or saliva sample, detects inherited DNA mutations that could raise your cancer risk. The findings can inform your treatment choices and reveal if family members might also be at increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Staging: After diagnosing pancreatic cancer, your healthcare team assesses the tumor’s extent through a process known as staging. This helps them understand your prognosis and create an appropriate treatment plan.
Pancreatic cancer stages are numbered 0 to 4. In the earliest stages, the cancer is confined to the pancreas. As the tumor grows, the stage progresses. By stage 4, the cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body.
What are the treatment options for pancreatic cancer?
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer depend on the tumor’s stage and location. Your doctor and team also consider your overall health and personal preferences. Usually, the main goal is to remove the cancer if possible. If removal is not possible, the focus shifts to improving the quality of life and preventing the cancer from getting worse or causing more damage.
Pancreatic cancer treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. In advanced stages, these approaches tend to be less effective, so the primary goal shifts to symptom relief to maximize comfort for as long as possible.
1. Surgery
Surgery can potentially cure pancreatic cancer, but it is not suitable for everyone. It is typically used for tumors that have not spread to other organs. Larger tumors or those invading nearby blood vessels may make surgery unfeasible. In such cases, alternative treatments like chemotherapy might be tried first, with surgery sometimes following these approaches.
2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves powerful medicines to eliminate cancer cells. It may include one or more drugs, delivered via IV or as pills. Often used as the first treatment if surgery isn’t feasible, it can also be combined with radiation therapy. Sometimes, this combo reduces the tumor enough to enable surgery. This treatment is offered at specialized medical centers with expertise in the management of pancreatic cancer patients.
Chemotherapy is often administered following surgery to destroy leftover cancer cells. In cases where the cancer has progressed and metastasized, chemotherapy can assist in controlling the disease. Additionally, it may alleviate symptoms like pain.
3. Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. These beams can come from X-rays, protons, or other sources. Radiation may be applied before or after surgery, often following chemotherapy. It can also be combined with chemotherapy.
When surgery is not feasible, initial treatments often include radiation therapy and chemotherapy. This combo can reduce the tumor size, potentially enabling surgery. If the cancer has metastasized, radiation therapy can also help alleviate symptoms such as pain.
4. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses medicines to help the immune system destroy cancer cells. The immune system fights disease by attacking germs and foreign cells that shouldn’t be in the body. Cancer cells evade the immune system to survive. Immunotherapy helps immune cells find and kill cancer cells. It might be an option if your pancreatic cancer has specific DNA changes that increase the tumor’s chance of responding to these therapies. While immunotherapy is generally less effective against pancreatic cancer, it shows promising results in patients with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR).
What are the ways to prevent pancreatic cancer?
While you cannot prevent pancreatic cancer, you can take steps to reduce your risk.
- Avoid smoking.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Cut back on red meat, sugary drinks, and processed foods.
- Reduce your contact with harmful chemicals like asbestos, pesticides, and petrochemicals.
- Keep a healthy weight for your body.
Living with pancreatic cancer
Being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer can be overwhelming and life-changing. Your healthcare team is here to support you through this difficult time. Consider joining a local or online support group for pancreatic cancer patients. Connecting with others who face similar challenges can boost your confidence and improve your mental and emotional well-being. Also, talking with a counselor, therapist, or social worker can help you process your feelings. The information and resources available can be invaluable, and many options are accessible to support you and your loved ones. If you still feel confused and need help, contact your doctor or team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to detect pancreatic cancer?
Early signs of pancreatic cancer are frequently subtle. Some people experience vague symptoms months before diagnosis. Many first notice back or stomach pain, which may be intermittent at first but can worsen after eating or when lying down.
Is pancreatic cancer treatable?
Although pancreatic cancer has a low survival rate, it can be fully cured if detected early and treated promptly. The most effective cure involves completely removing the tumor through surgery, but only a small proportion of patients are eligible for surgery at the time of diagnosis.
What signs suggest that pancreatic cancer has spread to other parts of the body?
As pancreatic cancer progresses, you might develop new symptoms. These can include abdominal pain, severe fatigue, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, and swelling or fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites).
What complications can arise from pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer typically metastasizes first to nearby blood vessels and lymph nodes, then spreads to the liver, peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), and lungs. By the time it is diagnosed, most pancreatic cancers have already extended beyond the pancreas.
What is the prevalence of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer makes up approximately 3% of all cancers in the United States. It is the 10th most common cancer in men and the 8th in women. The incidence of pancreatic cancer is rising, and forecasts indicate that by 2030, it will likely become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths nationwide.
