PANCREATIC CANCER

 Basic information

description

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that affects the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ in the upper-middle part of the abdomen. It produces intestinal enzymes (juices) to help digest food, and insulin to control blood sugar. This cancer usually affects adults ages 35 to 70, and men more than women.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Usually no symptoms occur in early stages of cancer.
• Weight loss. Loss of appetite.
• Pain in the back or upper abdomen.
• Fatigue.
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes). Intense itching may occur with jaundice.
• Nausea, vomiting, and problems with digestion.
• Depression, though not caused by cancer, may occur.

causes

Unknown. It may be a combination of hereditary, biologic, and environmental factors.

risk increases with

• Older adults and males more than females.
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
• Family history of pancreatic, colon, or ovarian cancer.
• Diabetes.
• Jews and African Americans are more often affected.
• Smoking.
• Obesity and lack of physical activity.
• Heavy exposure to certain toxins in the workplace.
• Certain hereditary conditions (or genetic syndromes).
• Prior surgery for peptic ulcers.
• Diet high in fats may play a role.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures. To reduce cancer risks: get recommended screening tests, maintain healthy weight, eat a healthy diet (plenty of fruits and vegetables), exercise regularly, and don't smoke.

expected outcomes

Outcome depends on an individual patient's health, treatment response, and stage of the cancer at diagnosis. An early diagnosis provides a better outcome. The diagnosis often comes too late for effective treatment. Symptoms can be relieved or controlled to help improve quality of life.

possible complications

• Spread (metastasis) of cancer to other places in the body (often already occurred by the time of diagnosis).
• Surgical or drug therapy complications.
• Malnutrition (lack of nutrients needed by the body).
• Increased pain.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about any symptoms. A number of medical tests will be done. The tests help to diagnose the cancer, and then determine if it has spread (staging).
• Treatment varies and depends on location and size of tumor, any spread of the cancer, your health, age, and preferences. Treatment may include chemotherapy (anticancer drugs), radiation therapy, surgery, targeted therapy, or other new forms of treatment.
• Chemotherapy uses drugs and radiation therapy uses radiation to attack the cancer cells. Targeted therapy uses drugs/agents to attack specific cancer cells.
• Surgery may be performed to remove the tumor if the cancer has not spread to other places in the body.
• Treatment may involve steps to relieve symptoms and make you comfortable, rather than treating the cancer.
• Counseling may help you cope with having cancer.
• To learn more: American Cancer Society; (800) ACS-2345; website: www.cancer.org, or National Cancer Institute; (800) 4-CANCER; website: www.nci.nih.gov.

medications

• Your health care provider may prescribe:
  • Pain relievers.
  • Chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
  • Pancreatic enzymes to replace those that the pancreas cannot manufacture.
  • Sedatives for sleep if needed.
  • Vitamin supplements.

activity

Remain as active as you can. It helps your quality of life.

diet

• Low-fat diet may be recommended.
• Loss of appetite may make eating difficult. Try eating several small meals each day. Choose foods easy to digest and have healthy snacks available.

 notify our office if

• You have symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
• After diagnosis, new symptoms occur.

Special Notes: