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Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

For pancreatic cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods, first of all, it is necessary to know the definition of pancreatic cancer and pancreas. The pancreas is located at the back of the abdomen in the human body. The length of the pancreas is on average 15 centimeters. It has very important functions in the body. It has two important functions. While one of them is important for digestion, the second is important for regulating blood sugar levels. In other words, the pancreas has both an endocrine function and an exocrine function.

What is pancreatic cancer? Pancreatic cancer occurs when a number of malignant tumors arise as a result of abnormal deterioration in cells in the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer can spread to the whole organ or it can be in a certain part of the pancreas. Although pancreatic cancer has various types, the most common type is adenocarcinoma. Adenocancer is a type of cancer that progresses rapidly. This type of cancer can spread rapidly to surrounding organs, cells and tissues.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer, within the scope of diagnosis and treatment methods, progress secretly and insidiously because pancreatic cancer does not show many symptoms in its initial stages. Generally, pancreatic cancer occurs in the later stages and shows symptoms.

The most common major pancreatic symptoms are;

  • Stomach ache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Jaundice
  • Weight loss
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Weakness, fatigue and tiredness
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion problems
  • Change in stool color
  • Back pain
  • Sudden onset diabetes
  • There are important symptoms such as depression.

In advanced houses of pancreatic cancer, the formation of a bloating, especially in the abdomen, is one of the important symptoms. At the same time, rapid weight loss occurs in patients as a result of malnutrition. Another important symptom is jaundice. The most important symptom of pancreatic cancer, especially in the early stages, is jaundice. Jaundice first appears in the eyes. Later, yellowing of the skin occurs and the spread continues to other parts of the body. This causes the color of the stool to change. In addition, in the beginning of pancreatic cancer, abdominal pain is in the form of mild pain. However, in the later stages of pancreatic cancer, abdominal pain gradually increases and the pain in the abdomen hits the back. At the same time, symptoms of bloating become more evident in the very advanced stages of the disease. However, indigestion occurs.

Causes of Pancreatic Cancer

The cause of the cancer is important in order to determine the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, diagnosis and treatment methods. The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known. However, it has been determined that smoking causes pancreatic cancer. At the same time, pancreatic cancer is seen in people with obesity problems. Smoking is the cause of 30% of pancreatic cancer. However, there are some different opinions about the emergence of pancreatic cancer as a result of diabetes. Because of genetic structures, that is, if there is a history of pancreatic cancer in the family, this person is also likely to have pancreatic cancer. Advancing age is an important risk factor. Unhealthy dietary conditions, that is, a diet devoid of fruits and vegetables, increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. However, people who are exposed to chemicals and those with a high body mass index have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Having a chronic pancreatitis increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

DIAGNOSIS OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that progresses very slowly and insidiously within the scope of diagnosis and treatment methods. Therefore, it is very difficult to diagnose pancreatic cancer because its symptoms are not very clear. However, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the greater the treatment options. However, the earlier pancreatic cancer is detected and diagnosed, the higher the chance of success in treatment methods. A detailed examination, analysis and tests are of great importance for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. These tests, which are performed within the scope of diagnosis and treatment methods of pancreatic cancer symptoms, are ultrasonography, laboratory tests, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques.

In order to diagnose the pancreas within the scope of pancreatic cancer symptoms diagnosis and treatment methods, first of all, ultrasonographic imaging tests are performed. Thus, important information in the pancreatic region is obtained with the imaging method. The type, structure, size of the mass in this region, whether there is a mass and the relationship between the mass and other structures, vascular structures are determined. Some values ​​are measured by laboratory techniques. Pancreatic tumors are examined by computed tomography imaging method. With magnetic resonance imaging, that is, MRI, the structure of the tumor in the pancreas is examined. With these 2 examinations, the treatment method of the patient is determined. As a result of all methods, the stage of the tumor is determined accurately. For this, staging tests are performed. It is important to start an appropriate treatment process by evaluating all stages. DIAGNOSIS OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that progresses very slowly and insidiously within the scope of diagnosis and treatment methods. Therefore, it is very difficult to diagnose pancreatic cancer because its symptoms are not very clear. However, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the greater the treatment options. However, the earlier pancreatic cancer is detected and diagnosed, the higher the chance of success in treatment methods. A detailed examination, analysis and tests are of great importance for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. These tests, which are performed within the scope of diagnosis and treatment methods of pancreatic cancer symptoms, are ultrasonography, laboratory tests, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques.

In order to diagnose the pancreas within the scope of pancreatic cancer symptoms diagnosis and treatment methods, first of all, ultrasonographic imaging tests are performed. Thus, important information in the pancreatic region is obtained with the imaging method. The type, structure, size of the mass in this region, whether there is a mass and the relationship between the mass and other structures, vascular structures are determined. Some values ​​are measured by laboratory techniques. Pancreatic tumors are examined by computed tomography imaging method. With magnetic resonance imaging, that is, MRI, the structure of the tumor in the pancreas is examined. With these 2 examinations, the treatment method of the patient is determined. As a result of all methods, the stage of the tumor is determined accurately. For this, staging tests are performed. It is important to start an appropriate treatment process by evaluating all stages.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer

There are different types of pancreatic cancer within the scope of pancreatic cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods. The type of pancreatic cancer that is operable and suitable for surgical intervention is called resectable cancer. There is a regionally advanced type of cancer. Metastatic pancreatic cancer that spreads widely is a different type. There is also recurrent, that is, recurrent pancreatic cancer.

When we look at pancreatic cancer that is suitable for surgical intervention; If the tumor located here can be removed by surgical treatment, the method of removing the tumor is performed. There is also a risk of recurrence of pancreatic cancer after the tumor is surgically removed. Chemotherapy is also applied along with surgical methods. In regionally advanced pancreatic cancer, the tumor has spread to other regions. It is a tumor that is not suitable for surgical intervention. In this case, the blocked bile duct can be opened or the small intestine can be intervened. Widely spread and metastatic pancreatic cancers can also spread to the liver, abdomen, bones, lungs and brain, and surgical intervention cannot be performed. Even radiotherapy alone cannot be successful. Chemotherapy treatment is more appropriate in metastatic pancreatic cancer types that have spread over a wide area. This method is intended to prolong the patient’s life span. There are recurrent types of pancreatic cancer. They are cancers that constantly recur and recur in the same place, even if they have been operated. In this type of cancer, the patient can be treated with chemotherapy.

Pancreatic Cancer Stages

When pancreatic cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods are evaluated, there are different stages of pancreatic cancer. There is no propagation in the phase we call 0. At this stage, it can be seen that the pancreatic cancer is at stage 0 by performing an imaging test. In the first stage, the cancer has started to grow and is only found in the pancreatic region. In the second stage, the cancer grows outside the pancreas and begins to spread to the lymph nodes. In the third stage, the cancer spreads to larger areas such as vessels and nerves. In the fourth stage, the cancer spreads to many distant organs such as the liver.

Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Within the scope of pancreatic cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods, there are 3 different methods in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Treatment methods differ according to the condition of the tumor and the stage of the tumor in each patient. These treatment methods consist of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Since the pancreas has an important function for many organs, in the treatment process of pancreatic cancer, doctors who are experts in many fields such as gastroenterology, medical oncology or radiation oncology come together and work in a coordinated manner and pancreatic cancer treatment is carried out. If pancreatic cancer is at a very advanced level and has spread to very distant organs, then the patient is not suitable for surgical operation. In advanced stages, surgical interventions can be performed to relieve pain, reduce symptoms and prolong their lives a little longer.

When we look at the average life expectancy in this patient group, in which pancreatic cancer has spread to the most distant organs, it is between 3 months and 6 months. If the disease has spread locally, the average life expectancy of the patient is between 6 months and 10 months. Pancreatic cancer is a very difficult operation. There are some risks after surgery. Whipple surgery is performed in pancreatic cancer. After the Whipple surgery, digestive system complaints disappear.

Radiotherapy method is also used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, and generally more effective and more successful results are obtained when radiotherapy and chemotherapy are applied together. The combination of methods is a treatment method that can help shrink or disappear cancerous tumors in the pancreatic region. In chemotherapy, some drugs are given to the patient to destroy cancerous cells. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are then applied to patients who undergo surgical surgery within the scope of diagnosis and treatment methods for pancreatic cancer symptoms. If treatment is performed with early diagnosis and surgical procedure is applied, the recovery rate of the patient is below 50%. To prevent pancreatic cancer, it is necessary to stay away from smoking, eat healthy and exercise regularly.