When you have pancreas cancer, you may wonder how to know if you’ve been diagnosed. Symptoms include jaundice, a yellowish tinge to the skin, back pain, unexplained weight loss, dark urine, and fatigue. Although the exact cause of pancreas cancer is still unknown, you should get regular screenings for this type of cancer. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer vary depending on age, gender, and family history.
The main characteristics of PDACs are morphology and location. The vast majority of these cancers arise in the head of the pancreas. While they can sometimes present as a cyst, they tend to infiltrate the surrounding tissue very insidiously. Although they are typically under seven centimeters in diameter at presentation, most PDACs have spread throughout the organ. It is unlikely that a large pancreatic mass is a PDAC, unless it is located in the tail portion of the organ.
While primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most common form, secondary tumors of the pancreas may be present. Metastatic RCCs can appear decades after the primary tumor is diagnosed. If caught early, however, resection may enable patients to enjoy long-term survival. Almost every type of sarcoma can develop in the pancreas. Among the most common types are GISTs, leiomyosarcomas, and adenocarcinomas.
Pain is another symptom of pancreas cancer. Pain can be related to the cancer’s proximity to the pancreatic duct, nearby organs, or the side effects of the treatment. Although the causes of pancreatic cancer pain remain unclear, many studies have shown that most of the pain is neuropathic. However, pancreatic insufficiency may play a role. However, treatment options for pain in pancreatic cancer are varied and patients should consult their healthcare providers to find out the best course of action.
Modern science has improved the overall survival rate of patients with pancreas cancer. While survival rates are still low, they’ve significantly increased over the past decade. While five-year survival rates remain at around 5%, the five-year survival rate can increase to as high as twenty to twenty-five percent. For people with stage four disease, the median survival is about six months. This is still very good news, especially when it comes to advanced cancers.
However, there are many factors that can increase your chances of developing pancreas cancer. Age is the primary factor for pancreatic cancer, which accounts for more than half of all cases. Genetics and obesity have been linked to about 10 percent of pancreatic cancer cases. In addition to age, your risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases if you have chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cysts. Despite these factors, it is possible to get pancreas cancer at any adult age.
Early detection is crucial for early treatment, as many cases of pancreas cancer can go undetected until they have spread. Treatment for the disease is usually only effective if the tumor has not spread to nearby organs. Most patients who have this disease have cancerous tumors and will likely need surgery as early as possible. But despite the low incidence of pancreas cancer, survival rates are relatively low. If diagnosed in its early stages, survival rates are much higher.
