Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

What is pancreatic cancer?

It occurs when cells in the pancreas change and grow out of control. Because it’s resistant to many drugs, it’s difficult to treat. New methods of detection are being researched through genetic testing. The common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct are connected. In your abdomen the pancreas is a gland in the belly between the spine and the stomach. It produces hormones that control blood sugar and enzymes that aid digestion.

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect because patients seldom experience the symptoms of the disease until it has grown in the past. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include pain in the back or stomach. The skin and whites of the eyes are yellow. Other possible symptoms include vomiting and nausea. It is important to remember that these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions and are not usually caused by cancer. If you are concerned you should contact your doctor if you start to experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain or if they come and go at first or they get worse when you lie down. If you have pancreatic cancer you may develop symptoms of diabetes because it can produce chemicals that interfere with insulin’s normal function. For patients with pancreas cancer, survival rates are much lower than those with other cancers.

Stomach and Back Pain

It is a symptom of pancreatic cancer in the lower abdomen and the middle or lower back. The tumor is probably located in the body or tail of the pancreas. Some patients describe pain in the abdomen and back. If you lie down you can cause more pain which can be reduced by leaning forward. You should talk to your doctor if you have any pain related symptoms.

Jaundice

It causes a blockage in the bile duct system when a tumor grows on the pancreas. This causes a back up of bile and can cause a yellowish tint. If the cancer starts in the head of the fish-shaped pancrum, it can also cause a blue tint.

Weight loss

Unlike other cancers, pancreatic cancer is more likely to cause weight loss. The pancreas makes a sphincter which helps to absorb food. If a tumour affects the production it will make it harder to digest the food. This can help you lose weight.

Genetic testing

Cancer patients are susceptible to certain diseases. This information can tell you if you have a hereditary reason for developing cancer. Your healthcare provider can use this information to decide which treatment will be most effective for you. If genetic abnormalities are detected, your results will tell you. Even if you develop a mutation, it doesn’t mean you’ll get cancer. It’s important to be aware of the risk. Any first-degree relatives who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer should consider genetic testing for the disease.

Causes of pancreatic cancer

Some factors that increase your risk of pancreatic cancer include smoking, age, and a family history of pancreas or ovarian cancer. Chronic pancreatitis and excessive alcohol consumption are also contributing factors.

Smoking

Smoking cigars or chewing on tobacco can increase your risk of pancreatic cancer. Tobacco smoke contains a number of harmful chemicals and toxins that can cause irritation and inflammation in your body. About one in three cases of pancreas cancer is associated with smoking and the use of tobacco products.

Age

People between the ages of 50 and 81 are most affected by pancreatic cancer. Almost 50 percent of people are over 75.

Treating pancreatic cancer

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and the stage of it. Your age, general health and personal preferences will be taken into account. The first thing you want to do is remove the tumours. If this is not possible, treatment will focus on preventing the tumours from growing and causing further damage to your body. Sometimes it is impossible to cure cancer, so treatment will aim to reduce your symptoms and make you feel better. This cancer of the pancreas is difficult to treat. This type of cancer is usually not detected until it is advanced. If the cancer is large or spreads, it is more difficult to treat or cure.

Recovering from surgery

Your bowel will stop working after a surgical intervention. But you won’t be able to drink immediately. You will gradually be unable to eat more and more. You can be referred to a dietitian who can give you advice on what to eat after surgery. Then you will probably have a six-month course of chemotherapy, which will increase your chances of being cured. It is difficult to diagnose and treat cancer of the pancreas. A chemotherapy treatment can shrink your tumors.

Pancreatic cancer screenings

A first-degree family member with pancreatic cancer should talk to a healthcare provider about their risk of developing the disease. For people with a high risk of developing pancreas cancer due to a genetic predisposition, providers recommend monitoring.

Palliative care

The aim of the care is to improve your quality of life by reducing the symptoms of cancer. Treatments may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or other drugs. Symptoms can be reduced with palliative care. Depending on the type of pancreatic cancer your medical team may talk to you about the treatment you should receive.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

Here are some questions that you may want to ask if you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Your doctor should have an open relationship with you. What should I ask my doctor? Is genetic testing a good option? There’s a test. Will I be able to do the things that I need to do every single day? I need financial support, can you tell me where to go? How can I stay healthy?