subject: Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms Plus Disease Explanation [print this page] This specific form of cancer is due to a malignant mass of tissue that is abnormal located inside the pancreas. Current US estimates indicate that nearly forty-three thousand people will be affected by it and more than thirty-six thousand will die from it before the end of 2010. One main issue is that it is so difficult to diagnose because pancreatic cancer symptoms are often not present until the late stages.
The pancreas regulates the way that the body processes sugar and it plays a major role in the digestive system. It supplies vital digestive juices that are required to digest food. When it develops cells that mutate and continue to live past regular life expectancy they accumulate causing cancer in the form of a tumor.
There are two different types of cells located within this organ and two different types of cancer are possible. One cell is responsible for hormone production while the other supplies juices for digestion. Each type of cell can be associated with its own form of cancer.
Certain cells line the ducts of this organ and are responsible for digestive juices. These types of cells are commonly linked to adenocarcinomas. They may also be referred to as an exocrine tumor.
Cells that produce the hormones that are responsible for the production of insulin are also located in the pancreas. Whenever these types of cells are involved the condition is known as endocrine cancer. This cancer is very rare and less than one percent of individuals are affected by this type.
This cancer is known as the silent killer because its symptoms are often hidden until the disease is at a serious point. There are symptoms associated with the disease like no appetite, weight loss, depression, pain in the upper portion of the abdomen continuing through the back, blood clots and yellowing around the whites of the eyes and skin.
Some of these symptoms are likely to present with other conditions as well, but all are cause for seeing a physician. Testing will provide a proper diagnosis. If it is cancer, the physician will decide the appropriate stage and begin treatment.
Stages are categorized in one through four; four being the most critical. Stage one indicates the presence of cancer within the pancreas. Stage two includes the presence within and its spread to organs and tissue nearby with the possibility of the lymph nodes included. Stage three means that cancer has spread to major blood vessels nearby and possibly the lymph nodes. Stage four acknowledges the spread of disease well beyond and to other organs.
Surgery is a likely treatment if the cancer is limited to the pancreas upon being diagnosed. Unfortunately in latter stages, surgery may not be an option and the only form of treatment may be keeping the individual comfortable in dealing with the symptoms. There is no way to prevent this type of cancer, but to help with prevention it is best to quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight and exercise.
A particular group of individuals are more susceptible to this particular form of cancer. Those over sixty are at high risk, as are those who have diabetes or a family history of the disease. Individuals in these groups should not dismiss pancreatic cancer symptoms.
