Although adenocarcinomas are rarely fatal, they do account for a significant percentage of cancer deaths among Americans. Overall survival for patients with pancreas cancer is only five to 10 percent.
While the research surrounding pancreatic cancer has produced a wealth of information, it has so far failed to translate that knowledge into clinical benefit. Unfortunately, genetic mutations in pancreas cancer are not readily targetable, which makes finding an effective treatment difficult. Scientists have been trying to find drugs that target KRAS, the most common oncogene mutated in pancreatic cancer. Clinical trials, however, have not been very promising.
Early-stage pancreatic cancer doesn’t cause any worrying symptoms, but it’s important to see a doctor immediately. Symptoms of pancreas cancer include back and abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, dark urine, and fatigue. However, the signs of pancreatic cancer are so vague that they are often overlooked or discounted. Some patients also experience symptoms that are nonspecific, and may include gassiness, bloating, fatigue, and yellowing of the eyes, skin, or urine.
Because pancreatic cancer can spread throughout the body, it is often diagnosed in an advanced stage. Because the disease grows fairly rapidly, there is a limited window of time to diagnose it early. A patient’s age, gender, or race can also influence the risk of developing this type of cancer. If the tumor is small, a patient may be able to delay seeking medical attention until it has spread to other parts of the body.
While primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most common form of pancreatic cancer, other types of tumors can mimic the disease. For instance, lymphomas and renal cell carcinoma can be mistaken for pancreatic cancer. A rare but potentially deadly type of pancreatic cancer is metastatic. Patients with metastatic pancreas cancer almost always receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Symptoms of pancreas cancer include cysts and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. The Johns Hopkins team has extensive experience treating both types of tumors.
Another type of pancreatic cancer is familial. People with a family history of cancer should undergo screenings more frequently. For example, screenings should be conducted earlier, and people with Lynch syndrome should have their colonoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound done more often. This way, they can start making lifestyle changes earlier. For most people, this type of cancer is not caused by a genetic condition, but it is associated with a high risk of developing the disease.
The best treatment for pancreas cancer depends on the stage of the tumor. Smaller tumors are removed surgically, while larger ones have spread throughout the body. Although there are various treatment options for pancreas cancer, the majority of patients have cancer that is either locally or metastatic. The chemotherapy regimens for these cancers are based on the stage of the disease and the tumor size. Despite these options, the survival rate is poor. In the United States, only 20% of people with pancreas cancer are treated successfully.
