Although the majority of patients with pancreas cancer are not diagnosed with the disease, there are several different stages, which vary in severity. Stage 1 is the most advanced form, whereas stage 2a and stage 3 are the least aggressive forms. Stage 1a tumours are usually not large enough to affect the function of the pancreas. However, stage 2b and stage 3 tumours have already spread to lymph nodes and are larger.
Some pancreatic cancer symptoms include unintentional weight loss and stomach symptoms. These can be caused by the cancer itself, as well as its treatment. For example, a pancreas tumor may block the bile duct, causing a backlog of bile. Patients may also experience insulin resistance and inflammation of the adipose tissue. In rare cases, the pancreas may become so large that it can spread to the liver or belly cavity.
During imaging, a doctor can detect pancreatic cysts. Patients with cysts may also show some symptoms, such as abdominal pain, jaundice, or other abdominal symptoms. Mucus-producing cysts, which block pancreatic ducts, can turn cancerous. They can also cause pancreatitis. Patients may experience these symptoms if the cysts block the ducts. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
As the only curative therapy for pancreatic cancer, systemic therapy is still highly recommended. For this reason, the earliest diagnosis is recommended, especially if metastases have already occurred. For this reason, the risk of distant metastases is high even if the tumor is localized. The latest drugs in this area include Alistar A and CPI-613. These drugs are first-in-class and are now in clinical trials.
The KRAS pathway plays a pivotal role in pancreas cancer. It regulates the development of the exocrine pancreas in zebrafish. Cancer cells in the pancreas can also interact with stroma – the surrounding tissue – to facilitate tumor growth. As a result, they recruit fibroblasts from the stroma and regulate the growth of cancer cells. Because pancreatic tumors depend on the KRAS gene for survival, the stroma plays a vital role in cancer cell growth.
Cysts and tumors are a common precursor of pancreatic cancer. More specifically, pancreatic cysts may represent the earliest stage of the disease. Consequently, monitoring the cyst is vital in detecting precancerous changes and early pancreatic cancer. This treatment option can help prevent the onset of the disease and ensure a better prognosis for patients. However, the treatment for pancreas cancer is not a cure for the disease.
For patients who are already experiencing symptoms of pancreas cancer, radiation therapy is an effective treatment for pain associated with the disease. Patients can receive conformal or SBRT to target the primary site or selected metastatic sites. The treatment also produces low levels of grade 3 toxicity and can provide relief for patients suffering from the symptoms. However, patients should be aware of the limitations of this treatment. In addition to pancreatic enzymes, radiation therapy is not a cure for the disease.
