Pancreatic Cancer
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
The pancreas is a gland. Pancreatic cancer refers to the abnormality and irregularity that develops in the cells in which two different types of secretion are secreted, internal secretion and external secretion. It is a type of cancer that progresses silently and can be life-threatening. Therefore, early diagnosis is vital for pancreatic cancer.
Around the pancreas are the stomach, small intestine, spleen and liver. Therefore , the late diagnosis of pancreatic cancer increases the possibility of cancerous cells to spread to these organs. This cancer usually originates in the region of exocrine cells surrounding the pancreatic ducts. And from there it spreads to the surrounding organs.
Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors
The occurrence of pancreatic cancer depends on many different risk factors. Along with these factors, the most important known causes of pancreatic cancer are as follows;
- Having a high body mass index
- smoking,
- advanced age factor,
- Eating a protein-rich diet devoid of fruits and vegetables
- chronic pancreatitis,
- Exposure to petroleum and chemical substances,
- It is a diabetes disorder.
Individuals with these risk factors are always more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
One of the most insidious types of cancer is pancreatic cancer. The most common symptoms of this type of cancer, which progresses silently and does not show much symptoms in the first stages, are as follows;
- Gas pains,
- Bloating in the abdomen,
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite
- Weight loss,
- Enlargement of the liver and gallbladder,
- Jaundice,
- Darkening of urine color,
- Diarrhea,
- Back pain,
- Sudden onset diabetes without a family history
- It is oily stool.
Pancreatic cancer symptoms are common conditions that can be a precursor to many diseases. Patients who face these symptoms have a very low risk of cancer in themselves. Therefore, the risk of suspecting pancreatic cancer due to symptoms is not observed. However, in order to diagnose the disease early, it is vital to pay attention to the symptoms and to have the necessary examinations done at certain intervals.
Diagnosis and Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer
Since pancreatic cancer is an insidious disease, it is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages. There are 3 different methods used by specialist physicians in the diagnosis of this disease.
Ultrasonography; The size of the mass detected in the pancreas, its relationship with the surrounding structures and its proximity to the vascular structures are examined. It is the first method used for diagnosis.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging; Information about pancreatic tumors is obtained by administering drugs by mouth and intravenous route. It has a 95 % diagnostic feature.
Laboratory examinations; Blood and urine tests are done.
Each of these examinations helps specialist physicians in the diagnosis process.
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
pancreatic cancer treatment varies depending on the stage at which it is detected. When starting treatment, physical examination, laboratory and radiological examinations are taken as a basis. At the same time, the stage of the pancreatic tumor and the extent of its relationship with neighboring organs are determined.
If pancreatic cancer has reached advanced stages, then surgical methods cannot be applied. At this stage, the progression of the disease is prevented with the application of chemotherapy. At the same time, some attempts are being made to reduce existing pain.
If pancreatic cancer has not progressed too far and the tumor is suitable for surgical removal, Whiplle surgery is performed. In these surgeries, together with the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, duodenum, part of the stomach, part of the main bile duct and lymph nodes are removed as a block.