In addition, about 40 percent of people with pancreas cancer will experience jaundice. This symptom may be a precursor to other cancer symptoms. When diagnosed early, pancreatic cancer may be curable, but treatment is necessary to stop the progression of the disease. For more information, visit the American Cancer Society website.
If a patient’s tumor hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes or arteries, the condition is usually treatable. If the tumor is too small, it may spread to other organs, including the liver or stomach. A recurrence of pancreas cancer may necessitate a restaging procedure. Regardless of the stage of the disease, treatment options may vary depending on the type and location of the tumor.
Several risk factors increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. People with family history of certain types of cancer are at higher risk. Smoking increases the risk of pancreatic cancer by as much as threefold. Other risk factors include long-term diabetes, obesity, and family history. Although not a direct cause of pancreatic cancer, chronic alcohol consumption can increase the risk of the disease. If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to get screened for pancreatic cancer.
Symptoms of pancreas cancer vary and are often accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. Treatment aims to reduce these symptoms and minimize the severity of the disease. However, the side effects of cancer treatments can also lead to a host of new symptoms. These include weight loss, pain, nausea, and vomiting. Pancreas cancer can also cause back pain, as the organ presses on other organs and nerves.
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer depend on the stage of the disease. While ruxolitinib was withdrawn from trials due to its lack of efficacy, it may come back into clinical trials after new findings have been published about the tensile properties of tumors. Rab25 and CLIC3 were found in lysosomes and late endosomes, where they promote integrin recycling.
Several studies have linked calcium-dependent K-channels to cancer development and progression. A study of KCa3.1, a calcium-dependent channel, found that increased expression of this protein was associated with a more advanced cancer stage and a shorter survival time. Other studies of pancreatic cancer have indicated that the presence of calcium-activated K-channels is related to poor survival and an increased risk of death in the disease.
