Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.
Description
The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long that is shaped like a thin pear lying on its side. The wider end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow end is called the tail. The pancreas lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine.
Symptoms
These and other symptoms may be caused by pancreatic cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. Consult a doctor if any of the following problems occur:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
- Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Loss of appetite.
- Fatigue.
Common Treatment Options
The type of treatment selected will depend upon tumor grade and stage as well as your general health. Three types of treatment are commonly used for pancreatic cancer:
- surgery
- radiation therapy
- chemotherapy
Risk Factors
- Age: The risk of this cancer goes up with age. Almost 90 percent of patients are older than 55. The average age at the time the cancer is found is 72.
- Gender: Men have this cancer slightly more often than women.
- Race: African Americans are more likely to have this cancer than are whites.
- Smoking: The risk of getting cancer of the pancreas is two to three times higher in smokers. About two to three out of 10 cases of pancreatic cancer are thought to be caused by smoking. People who use smokeless tobacco are also more likely to get pancreatic cancer.
- Obesity and lack of exercise: Very overweight people are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, as are those who don’t get much exercise.
- Diabetes: Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with this disease. Most of the risk is found in people with type 2 diabetes. The reason for this is not known. In some patients, the cancer seems to have caused the diabetes (not the other way around).
- Chronic pancreatitis: This is a long-term inflammation of the pancreas. It is linked with a slightly higher risk of pancreatic cancer, but most people with this condition do not get pancreatic cancer. A small number of cases of chronic pancreatitis appear to be due to a gene mutation (defect). People with this form of chronic pancreatitis seem to have a high lifetime risk for getting pancreatic cancer.
- Cirrhosis of the liver: Cirrhosis is a scarring of the liver. It happens in people with liver damage from things like hepatitis and alcohol use. People with cirrhosis seem to have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
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