What You Didn’t Know About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is abnormal cell multiplication in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that secretes enzymes for digesting proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It lies behind the stomach.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. Very few people are aware of pancreatic cancer, so to spread awareness, here’s an article telling you what you probably don’t know about pancreatic cancer.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
- Jaundice in which there's yellowing of the whites of eyes and skin. You also may have darker pee and poo than usual.
- Feeling lethargic or low energy
- Symptoms of indigestion (bloating)
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Pain at the top of your stomach may worsen after eating and better if you lean forward.
- Inexplicable weight loss or appetite loss.
Things You May Not Know About Pancreatic Cancer
Difficult to catch on time
By the time 80% of patients are diagnosed1, they are already terminally ill and have a life span of a few months. The symptoms easily get confused with a common stomach bug, and patients neglect to go to the doctor.
Most Lethal Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal cancer, with less than 3%-6% surviving2 after five years. It is tough to treat because it doesn't react well to cancer therapies like other less-lethal cancers.
Pancreatic Cancer Research Is Neglected
Despite being one of the most lethal cancers, pancreatic cancer research is severely underfunded. It gets only about 2% of cancer research3 funds. It is barely in the public eye, and few people know it.
Symptoms Depend on Where the Tumor is
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are not very specific and can be different depending on which part of the pancreas the tumor is. The symptoms are different if the tumor is in the top, bottom, or middle of the pancreas.
No Gender Discrimination
Unlike breast cancer, which affects more women and few men, pancreatic cancer attacks men and women equally.
Smoking and Alcohol
Studies show4 that there are fewer chances of getting pancreatic cancer if you do not smoke and consume less alcohol. Also, maintaining a healthy body weight helps. Smoking is one of the number one causes attributed to pancreatic cancer. In fact, your chance of getting pancreatic cancer doubles if you are a smoker. However, your chances start improving once you stop smoking.5
There Are Different Types of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. When you read about pancreatic cancer causes and symptoms, you are most likely reading about adenocarcinoma. There are other types of pancreatic cancer, however, rarely found. There is:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Formed in the pancreatic ducts, this tumor consists only of squamous cells, which aren't usually found in the pancreas.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma
A more dangerous tumor with an even lower prognosis, this tumor has the characteristics of both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Colloid Carcinoma
This is the easiest pancreatic cancer to treat since the cancerous cells float around inside a benign cyst. This tumor can be operated on successfully.
Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a scarce type of tumor in the cells that secrete insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.
Benign Precancerous Lesions
Benign cysts can form on the pancreas. These usually can become cancerous. Depending on where the cyst is, your doctor will likely wish to remove it to prevent it from turning malignant.
Each Tumor Is Treated Differently
Each tumor can be different by having different types of genetic mutations. Different genetic mutations can make a tumor resistant to a specific treatment or susceptible to one. The type of mutations can be found through molecular profiling.
Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Is Usually Not an Option
Pancreatic cancer surgery is usually not an option since the cancer is very aggressive and has usually spread to the surrounding tissues before being diagnosed. If, by chance, the cancer is localized to the pancreas and caught very early, then there may be a slight chance for surgery to be successful.
Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Is Usually Not an Option
The chronic inflammation of the pancreas is linked to pancreatic cancer. If you have chronic pancreatitis, get yourself regularly screened for pancreatic cancer.
To sum it up, pancreatic cancer is the most lethal cancer with the least awareness. Spread awareness about pancreatic cancer the next time a cancer-related fundraiser or event is near you. Unfortunately, if a friend or a loved one gets pancreatic cancer, stay by their side and hope for the best.
Chemotherapy is improving, and more and more clinical trials are coming every day. The field of medicine keeps making advancements, and one day not just pancreatic but all cancers will be curable.
1 https://ecpc.org/news-events/15-key-facts-on-pancreatic-cancer
2 https://ecpc.org/news-events/15-key-facts-on-pancreatic-cancer/
3 https://ecpc.org/?p=6730#fn5
4 https://ecpc.org/news-events/15-key-facts-on-pancreatic-cancer/
5 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html