In the United States, around 53,000 people are diagnosed with pancreas cancer each year. Of these, fewer than 20 percent are diagnosed at an early stage, when they can be treated surgically. The reason for this high incidence is that most cases of pancreas cancer go undetected until they have spread to surrounding organs. Unfortunately, detecting pancreas cancer at an early stage is difficult, which makes it harder for doctors to cure it. Pancreas cancer is characterized by its resistance to standard chemotherapy, making early detection vital.
While the exact cause of pancreas cancer is unknown, HIFU treatments have shown some promise in the treatment of localized peripancreatic cancer pain. Both conventional and more advanced forms of radiation therapy have been shown to be effective for treating pain associated with pancreatic cancer. As such, this treatment option should be considered if localized or metastatic disease has spread to the abdominal cavity. Pancreatic cancer is a rare but highly feared cancer, and it is vital to choose the right treatment for you.
While there are no specific risk factors for pancreatic cancer, several other factors may increase the chances. Those who smoke cigarettes have a greater risk of developing pancreas cancer than nonsmokers. Besides tobacco use and obesity, cigarette smoking has been linked to about fifty percent of pancreatic cancer cases. Hereditary causes of pancreas cancer are thought to make up 5% to 10% of the total. If your family history includes any type of cancer, you should seek genetic counseling.
Currently, multiagent systemic treatments are being used in adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings for treatment of pancreatic cancer. Moreover, ongoing clinical trials are answering important questions. The latest guidelines for the management of borderline resectable pancreas cancer, and the role of radiation, are discussed. Ultimately, new treatments are developing, and these findings will improve standard of care for patients with pancreas cancer.
While the survival rate for patients with localized pancreas cancer is low, modern science has made it possible to treat this disease effectively. Approximately 15% to 20% of cases are curable surgically. In contrast, patients with tumors located outside of the pancreas are unlikely to receive surgical treatment and face a fifty to ninety percent local recurrence. As a result, there is no single effective screening method for pancreas cancer.
Patients with risk factors for pancreatic cancer may undergo yearly MRIs or EUSs to monitor the condition. Further, genetic data may improve the diagnosis of pancreas cancer in patients with poor prognosis. The early detection of pancreatic cancer may also improve survival rates. A pancreas cancer is a difficult disease to diagnose. However, it is important to seek medical attention as early detection is critical to the survival of patients with the disease.
Genetics can also be a good indicator of a family history of pancreatic cancer. Expert panels report that one in 10 cases of pancreatic cancer are caused by a genetic alteration. Because of this, genetic counseling is recommended for patients with this mutation. A genetic analysis of a family history will reveal whether any members are at increased risk for pancreatic cancer. And if they have a family history of this disease, this is especially important.
