Health A-Z

Pancreatic cancer is a serious and often aggressive type of cancer that originates in the tissues of the pancreas. Symptoms, treatment plans, and diagnosis testing for pancreatic cancer can vary depending on the stage of the disease and the individual patient's condition. Here's an overview.

1. Abdominal Pain: Pain in the upper abdomen or back is a common symptom, often radiating to the back or shoulder blades.
2. Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to the buildup of bilirubin caused by obstruction of the bile ducts.
3. Unexplained Weight Loss: Significant and unexplained weight loss, even when eating habits remain unchanged.
4. Loss of Appetite: Decreased appetite and feelings of fullness even after eating small amounts of food.
5. Digestive Issues: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in bowel habits may occur.
6. Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and weakness, which may be due to the cancer itself or associated complications.
7. New-Onset Diabetes: Pancreatic cancer can sometimes lead to the onset of diabetes, especially in individuals with no prior history of the condition.
8. Enlarged Gallbladder: Palpable enlargement of the gallbladder (Courvoisier's sign) may indicate obstruction of the bile duct.

1. Surgery:
   • Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy): Removal of the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, gallbladder, and bile ducts, followed by reconstruction of the digestive tract.
   • Distal Pancreatectomy: Removal of the body and tail of the pancreas, sometimes combined with removal of the spleen.
   • Total Pancreatectomy: Removal of the entire pancreas, often reserved for cases where the cancer has spread extensively within the pancreas.
2. Chemotherapy: Systemic chemotherapy, often using a combination of drugs such as gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, fluorouracil (5-FU), and platinum-based drugs, to shrink tumors, slow disease progression, and improve symptoms.
3. Radiation Therapy: External beam radiation therapy or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) may be used to target and destroy cancer cells, especially in cases where surgery is not possible or to relieve symptoms such as pain.
4. Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific molecular pathways involved in pancreatic cancer, such as EGFR inhibitors (erlotinib), may be used in combination with chemotherapy.
5. Immunotherapy: Emerging as a potential treatment option, immunotherapy drugs like checkpoint inhibitors are being studied in clinical trials for pancreatic cancer.

1. Imaging Studies:
   • CT Scan: Provides detailed images of the pancreas and surrounding structures to detect tumors and evaluate tumor size and spread.
   • MRI: Can offer additional information about the pancreas and nearby blood vessels.
   • Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Combines endoscopy with ultrasound imaging to obtain detailed images of the pancreas and surrounding structures.
2. Biopsy: Tissue samples are obtained from the pancreas, typically through endoscopic or surgical procedures, and examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer cells and determine the cancer's type and grade.
3. Blood Tests: Measurement of specific tumor markers such as CA 19-9 may be helpful in monitoring the progression of pancreatic cancer and assessing response to treatment.
4. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): A procedure that combines endoscopy and X-rays to visualize the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts and can help identify blockages or abnormalities.
5. Laparoscopy: In some cases, a laparoscopic procedure may be performed to directly visualize the pancreas and surrounding tissues and assess the extent of the disease.