Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in the pancreas grow in an uncontrolled way and form a tumor. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that produces enzymes for digestion and hormones that regulate blood sugar. This type of cancer is less common than some others, and it accounts for a small percentage of all cancer diagnoses each year. It remains a significant health concern in the United States because doctors often find it at a later stage. Here is more information about this cancer:
Reviewing Signs of Pancreatic Cancer
Early pancreatic cancer often produces few noticeable symptoms, and many signs only appear as the disease progresses. Common symptoms of this cancer include:
- Jaundice: A yellowing of the skin and eyes, often accompanied by dark urine and pale stools
- Itchy skin: Caused by a buildup of bile in the body
- Abdominal or back pain: Discomfort that spreads from the upper abdomen to the back and can worsen after eating
- Loss of appetite: A reduced desire to eat, often leading to unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and nausea: General feelings of tiredness and sickness, though these symptoms can overlap with many less serious conditions
Understanding Cancer Stages
Doctors describe pancreatic cancer using stages that reflect how far the disease has spread.
- Resectable: The tumor is confined to the pancreas and can be surgically removed.
- Borderline resectable: The tumor is close to nearby blood vessels, making surgery possible but more complex and requiring careful evaluation.
- Locally advanced: The tumor has grown into surrounding blood vessels or tissues, making surgical removal difficult or not possible without further treatment.
- Metastatic: The cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the liver or lungs, and is no longer thought of as surgically curable.
Discussing Pancreatitis and Diabetes
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, and it can sometimes appear alongside cancer in the pancreas. Long-term, or chronic, pancreatitis has been studied as a possible related condition. Repeated episodes of pancreatitis that cannot be explained may prompt a doctor to investigate further.
New-onset diabetes that occurs in older adults can occasionally be linked to changes in the pancreas. A sudden diagnosis of diabetes without common causes, such as weight gain, sometimes leads to further testing. When diabetes appears together with weight loss or abdominal pain, a healthcare provider may look more closely at the pancreas because these combined symptoms sometimes indicate an underlying issue.
Identifying the Risk Factors
Several factors have been associated with a higher likelihood of developing cancer in the pancreas. Smoking is one of the most widely recognized risk factors, and researchers have linked tobacco use to many cases. Age also plays a role because most diagnoses occur in people over the age of 60. Family history and certain inherited genetic changes can raise the chances of developing the disease. A person with close relatives who had cancer in the pancreas or pancreatitis may fall into a higher-risk group.
Learn More About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer begins in the pancreas and is often detected at a later stage because early symptoms can be subtle. Treatment depends on the stage and the individual, and it may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these approaches. To learn more about pancreatic cancer and treatment, consult a healthcare provider near you.
