Pancreas Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (scientifically also known as exocrine cancer), is the disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas that is a pear-shaped 6 inches long gland placed between the stomach and spine. It is very important organ of internal human body system which produces a hormone called insulin that helps in maintaining the blood sugar level. Some enzymes produced by pancreas also help the body to digest food. Damages of pancreas either by cancer or by any other disease can seriously harm the body fitness and can be life threatening. The abnormal cancerous cells usually begin in the channels that carry pancreatic juices and it is called Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer. But when the malignant tumor begins in the cells which produce insulin, it is called Islet cell Pancreatic Cancer. This pancreatic cancer sometimes spread to nearby lymph nodes and organs such as the liver and lungs and becomes more dangerous.

The exact cause of this cancer is not identified; however some factors that may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer are such as- age above 60, Smoking, family history of pancreatic cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas, usually from excessive alcohol intake and eating of excessive fatty foods. The most common symptoms that may occur as a result of prostate cancer are such as- jaundice, nausea, skin itching, loss of appetite, brown urine, light colored bowel movements, bowel disturbances, unexpected weight loss, general discomfort or pain around the stomach area, diabetes, Intermittent diarrhea, back pain that does not go away, unexplained blood clots (venous thrombosis). Jaundice can be an early sign of a tumor in the head of the pancreas affecting the bile duct while back pain can be a late sign of a tumor in the body or tail of the pancreas probably affecting the nerves and spine. Most commonly pancreatic cancer is categorized as exocrine cancer (with sub type of cystic tumors, cancer of the acinar cells and arcomas of the pancreas), rare endocrine pancreatic tumors and lymphoma of the pancreas. Exocrine cancer occurs in the cells lining of the ducts (tubes) of the pancreas. Rare endocrine pancreatic tumor depends upon the kind of hormones and lymphoma of pancreas appears in the lymphatic system of the body.

Treatment depends on the basis of diagnosis results made by doctor. Initially some tests like blood, urine and stool tests may be done. The tools which are usually used to determine the exact location and stage of cancer pictures are such as X-rays, ultrasound, MRI and abdominal CT scans. Endoscopy is also used during the diagnosis procedure to look at the insides of stomach. Surgery is the most common method of treatment where partial or total removal of affected pancreas is done along with surrounding tissues that have become cancerous. To kill cancerous cell, sometimes radiation therapy (with the help of high energy rays) is also performed. Another systematic form of treatment is chemotherapy. Through this method the drugs are given into the vein that flow through the blood stream to destroy the cancerous cell. Sometimes any one procedure is used in combination with chemotherapy.