It is an aggressive type of cancer that develops in the pancreas and usually shows symptoms in the late stages. Initial symptoms may be mild, making it difficult to diagnose early. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss and loss of appetite may be observed. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, obesity, diabetes and a family history of cancer. Treatment varies depending on the progression of the disease.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
It develops in the pancreatic tissues and may not show any symptoms in the early stages. It is usually noticed when it reaches advanced stages. It can be confused with other digestive system disorders in terms of its symptoms. However, some symptoms may provide specific clues.
Patients usually experience severe and constant pain in the upper abdomen. This pain can often radiate to the lower back. This type of pain may be caused by the cancer pressing on nerve endings.
Sudden and unexplained weight loss may be one of the early symptoms. This is often combined with loss of appetite, and patients may have difficulty eating. Tumor pressure on the digestive system may prevent adequate absorption of nutrients.
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Pancreatic cancer can block the bile ducts and cause bilirubin to accumulate in the body. As a result, urine becomes dark and stools may be light and oily.
Nausea and vomiting are common due to the effect of the pancreas on digestive enzyme production. These symptoms are due to its effect on the digestive system.
Given that the pancreas is responsible for insulin production, some patients may develop diabetes. Sudden blood sugar imbalances may occur in people who have not had diabetes before.
As a result, symptoms can be subtle and can be confused with other conditions. Early diagnosis is essential to increase the chances of treatment. It is recommended that people who observe these symptoms consult a doctor.
It is usually more common in people aged 60 and over. Aging can cause cells to become more vulnerable to DNA damage.
The risk is approximately doubled in smokers. Smoking can damage the pancreas and pave the way for cancer development.
The risk is higher in people with a body mass index (BMI) over 30. Obesity can increase susceptibility to cancer by increasing inflammation in the body.
Especially long-standing type 2 diabetes increases the risk. Diabetes can have negative effects on the pancreas.
If there is a family history of pancreatic cancer or other types of cancer, the risk increases due to genetic predisposition.
People with long-term pancreatitis are at greater risk of developing it. Chronic pancreatitis, particularly that associated with alcohol abuse, may further increase this risk.
Having certain gene mutations, such as BRCA2 and PALB2, increases your risk. These genes also increase your susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer.
A diet high in fat, processed meats and excessive alcohol consumption may increase the risk. These factors can damage both the pancreas and other digestive organs.
Long-term liver disease can have adverse effects that can increase the risk.
Pancreatic Cancer Diagnostic Methods
Pancreatic cancer progresses insidiously. It usually does not show any obvious symptoms in the early stages. This causes the disease to be diagnosed mostly in advanced stages. However, today, it can be detected earlier thanks to various diagnostic methods.
The first method of diagnosis is the patient's medical history and physical examination. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice may be signs of pancreatic cancer. If the doctor suspects it, advanced imaging tests are used.
CT scan, is frequently used to examine the pancreas and surrounding tissues. Contrast-enhanced CT scans, in particular, are helpful in assessing the size and spread of tumors.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), is another important imaging method used to detect. MRI can be effective in determining the boundaries of tumors by showing soft tissues in detail.
Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS), plays an important role in its diagnosis. With this method, ultrasound images of the pancreas are taken with the help of a thin tube and a biopsy can be performed if necessary.
Blood tests, can be used to detect specific markers. For example, a tumor marker called CA 19-9 can indicate the presence of cancer. However, this test is not enough to confirm a diagnosis.
Finally, PET scans, is used to understand whether cancer cells have spread and metastasized within the body. When these methods are used together, it becomes possible to accurately diagnose pancreatic cancer. Early diagnosis increases the chance of success in the treatment process.
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Methods
Since cancer is usually in an advanced stage when diagnosed, the treatment process is challenging. However, treatment methods are determined by the size of the tumor, the extent of the spread of the cancer, and the general health of the patient.
Surgical intervention, is one of the most effective treatment methods. Surgical removal of the tumor may be possible in patients diagnosed at an early stage. The most common surgical procedure Whipple procedure In this procedure, the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, the bile duct and a section of the stomach are removed.
Chemotherapyis a widely used treatment option. It is used to destroy cancer cells or slow the growth of tumors after surgery.
Radiotherapy, is usually used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. This treatment method is used to control tumor growth, especially in tumors that cannot be surgically removed.
Targeted therapies, focuses on the changes in cancer cells and destroys them. For example, Erlotinib Some drugs, such as streptococcus, target proteins that control the growth of cancer cells.
The combination of treatment methods allows for individual treatment to be created according to the patient's condition. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is very important because the chance of cure increases significantly.
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