What options does a patient with pancreas cancer have? Thankfully, there are many excellent surgical options available. Because pancreas cancer is localized, it requires multidisciplinary care. The cancer is typically treated with a combination of surgical and nonsurgical approaches. Treatment requires collaboration between a gastroenterologist, an expert surgeon, and an interventional gastroenterologist. A multidisciplinary team of specialists may also be necessary to improve the patient’s chances of a good outcome.
Activating mutations of the KRAS proto-oncogene are commonly seen in invasive PDAs. In addition to KRAS mutations, other tumour suppressor genes are frequently mutated. Genetic studies have implicated the palladin gene as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Although this gene has no known role in the development of the disease, it is associated with an increased risk for the disease.
In a patient registry maintained by the Pancreas Cancer Action Network, survey respondents voluntarily complete a health survey. Pain is frequently a common complaint among patients with pancreatic cancer. In fact, pain is the third most common symptom in pancreatic cancer, after loss of appetite and weight. Many patients discuss their pain with their healthcare provider and receive prescriptions to relieve the discomfort. Most patients are treated with pain medication.
While no single gene has been identified to cause pancreas cancer, many scientists believe that some type of genetic abnormality is linked to the disease. Alterations in several genes are involved in the process of cancer progression in pancreatic cancer. This genetic abnormality is found in 90% of cases. Interestingly, some of these genes may even serve as markers for the disease. The research continues to uncover additional causes of pancreas cancer.
While early pancreatic cancers have no symptoms, it’s best to visit a physician if you experience any of these symptoms. The first symptom of pancreas cancer is jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes. While this symptom is common in people with pancreatic cancer, it is often the earliest indication of the disease. It’s important to seek medical treatment for jaundice if you suspect it may be caused by the disease.
Besides chemotherapy, radiation therapy may be an option. Combined with conventional treatments, it can reduce the pain associated with the disease. In addition, radiation is a promising option for treating pain associated with localized peripancreatic cancer. While it may seem invasive, this treatment can help relieve some of the discomfort patients experience. In addition to surgery, radiation can be used to control pain and reduce the likelihood of future complications.
Despite its limitations, there are currently several treatments for pancreas cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine improved the median survival in the GITSG trial by about three months. Two new chemotherapy regimens are currently being studied to find the most effective treatments. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy with Gemcitabine may also be an option in metastatic pancreas cancer patients. The researchers are currently working to refine these regimens and develop definitive guidelines for these treatments.
