Pancreatic Cancer

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Video: Pancreatic Cancer

Video: Pancreatic Cancer
Video: Pancreatic Cancer 2024, March
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Anonim

The pancreas is a gland that is located behind the stomach and near the duodenum. The pancreas is composed of body, head and tail, and in its functional relation is divided into endocrine and exocrine part. The endocrine pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon hormones.

These hormones are important for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. The head of the pancreas is located in the upper right part of the stomach, and the tail - in the lower left part. The exocrine pancreas secretes enzymes that are important for the processes of digestion, breakdown of fats and proteins.

Pancreatic cancer is a condition that is localized in the head 70% of cases, in 20% - in the body and 10% in the tail of the gland. It most often originates from the cells that cover the inside of the pancreatic ducts. As it grows, the cancer can affect nearby organs, such as the stomach, colon, and duodenum.

It may also metastasize to more distant organs. From pancreatic cancer most often people over the age of 50 suffer, and men are twice as likely to be affected. Pancreatic cancer ranks fourth, after cancer of the lung, colon and breast.

It is believed that there are certain risk factors that can trigger pancreatic cancer. Smoking is considered a leading cause. Regular alcohol intake, chronic pancreatitis and gallstones are risk factors.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Nausea
Nausea

Pancreatic cancer there are no specific signs. Its early diagnosis is difficult and most often when complaints appear, the cancer is already spread to other parts of the body. The most common symptoms are:

Pain - it manifests itself in different ways. It can be dull, constant or run through crises. In cancer of the head of the pancreas, the pain is felt in the upper right half of the stomach, and in localization in its tail - the pain is in the upper left part. It is possible that the sensation of pain passes to the back or even covers the entire stomach. It is characteristic that it intensifies in the supine position of the body and after eating.

Jaundice - this is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes. Jaundice is characteristic of cancer of the head of the pancreas. It results from compression of the biliary system (it consists of the gallbladder and the ducts that carry bile and other juices, liver and pancreas to the small intestine). In such cases, jaundice is accompanied by a change in the color of urine - darkening, itchy skin and lightening of the color of the stool.

Other characteristic symptoms are nausea and vomiting, which result in weight loss, weakness and easy fatigue. Weight loss is more than 10 kg and occurs in 80% of patients. It is due to indigestion and lost appetite. There is a feeling of bloating after eating.

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is practically impossible. If the doctor suspects cancer, he prescribes tests such as ultrasound and computed tomography.

An endoscopy is performed, in which the doctor inserts a flexible tube through the mouth and examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. After diagnosing pancreatic cancer, the next step is to determine the stage of the disease and the extent of its spread.

pancreatic cancer
pancreatic cancer

A number of tests and examinations are ordered. In many cases, the spread of cancer can only be determined after surgery. During the operation, the doctor removes the lymph nodes around the pancreas and takes pieces from neighboring organs. These pieces are biopsy material that will be used to detect cancer cells in other organs. Based on this result, further treatment is determined.

Treatment of pancreatic cancer

The treatment is strictly individual for each patient and is determined by the size of the tumor and its location, the degree of spread and other concomitant factors.

The treatment of pancreatic cancer is difficult due to the fact that its diagnosis is made only when it has spread to other organs of the body. The main methods used are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgical treatment consists of removal of part of the pancreas or its complete removal. In many cases, parts of the stomach, duodenum and a number of other organs need to be excised.

Pancreatic cancer it spreads mostly to the lymph nodes, so during the operation the adjacent lymph nodes are also removed. They are tested for cancer cells because if they are found, it can be said that the cancer has reached distant parts of the body.

Chemotherapy is performed through the use of drugs - cytostatics. The treatment can be carried out with one or a combination of such drugs.

Radiation therapy is a method that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells as well as suppress them. Radiation therapy is topical, ie. acts only on damaged cells. It is often applied after surgery.

The article is informative and does not replace a consultation with a doctor!

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