Its primary function is to make insulin, which controls the levels of sugar in the body, and enzymes, which aid digestion. However, pancreatic cancer can develop when the cells inside the pancreas grow out of control. Once this happens, the cancer may spread to the lymph nodes and liver, as well as to the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Although the pancreas is located deep in the belly cavity, the symptoms are usually vague or nonspecific. Some patients may not even realize that they have pancreatic cancer. Symptoms of pancreas cancer can include jaundice, pale, greasy stools, and pain in the upper abdomen. If you have any of these symptoms, speak to your family doctor as soon as possible. You may also notice a yellowing of the skin and eyes, and dark urine.
Treatment options for pancreas cancer are limited. While systemic regimens used for other malignancies are generally effective, they do not work as well in this cancer type. In addition, the dense desmoplastic reaction that engulfs the tumor mass can act as a physical barrier to drugs and impairs the immune system’s activation. Some researchers even argue that the tumor-associated macrophages, a type of white blood cell, can facilitate the transition from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state.
In addition to pancreatic cancer, patients may experience pain related to adjacent organs or distant metastases, as well as side effects from the treatments. Although the treatment of complications is limited, the pain associated with pancreas cancer can affect the patient’s quality of life. For this reason, the appropriate diagnosis and treatment are vital to ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient. If the symptoms persist, treatment should be considered as early as possible to minimize their impact on QOL.
A pancreatic cyst can be a precursor of pancreatic cancer. As a result, doctors should monitor the cyst to detect precancerous changes. Early detection of cysts helps detect pancreatic cancer earlier. This prevents it from spreading. It is also possible to detect a pancreatic cancer before it has spread to the gland. In this case, surveillance may be the best way to detect the disease in its early stages.
