Pancreatic Cancer Causes, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Pancreatic cancer starts in the tissues of the pancreas, a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower stomach. Pancreatic cancer occurs more often in men aged between 35 and 70, is the fourth most common cause cancer death (after lung cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer). Pancreatic cancer is usually an adenocarcinoma, usually occurs after pancreatic duct cells aremost of the pancreas.

The cause of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic tumors are caused by damage to genes, but no one knows exactly why this damage occurs. The evidence suggests that it is linked to exposure to carcinogens such as cigarettes, foods rich in fats and proteins and food additives. Possible predisposing factors include chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and chronic alcohol abuse.

There is evidence that people who do not eat many freshFruits and vegetables are at increased risk of pancreatic cancer. being overweight can also cause a small increase in risk. Some industrial chemicals called chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents have been associated with pancreatic cancer, although it is unlikely to be an important factor. Other chemicals and exposures that have been linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer in some studies are pesticides, radiation, nickel, chromium and iron.

The average age of onset ofPancreatic cancer is between 70-80, but heavy smokers and drinkers, averaging seven to 10 years earlier than the general population.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer
The most common are weight loss, abdominal pain or back pain, jaundice and diarrhea.
Other more general effects include fever, skin lesions, depression, anxiety, and an omen of impending death. Ascites (fluid retention in the abdomen) may be a sign of pancreatictumors.

Diagnosis
It is very difficult to diagnose pancreatic cancer as the pancreas is so deep within the body and symptoms vary depending on the exact location of the pancreas and tumor cells or the function of the pancreas is a tumor or cancer. Unfortunately the symptoms of this tumor can also be very vague and nonspecific and may be caused by many other more common and less severeconditions.

Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is one of the main reasons is the leading cause of cancer death. Experts believe that all people of 50 years who developed diabetes and loss unexplained weight loss should be investigated for other diseases of the pancreas. Courvoisier sign defines the presence of jaundice and a painless gallbladder extends a strong indicator of pancreatic cancer and can be used todistinguish pancreatic cancer gallstones.

Treatment
Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the stage and location of cancer and age, general health and personal preferences. The first goal of treatment is to remove the cancer, when possible. When this is not an option, the emphasis will be on the prevention of pancreatic cancer to grow and cause more damage. This tumor is relatively resistant to drugstreatment and the only potentially curative treatment is surgery. Radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer can decrease pain, but does not affect patient survival.

Gemcitabine was approved by the U.S. FDA in 1998 after a clinical trial reported improved quality of life in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The management of pain and other symptoms is an important part of treatment of advanced cancer.

Prognosis
Pancreatic Canceroften has a poor prognosis, even when early diagnosis and median survival time from diagnosis to death is perhaps the worst cancer. The best predictors of long-term survival after surgery are a tumor diameter of less than 3 cm, without lymph node involvement, negative resection margins, and diploid tumor DNA content.

Due to difficulties in diagnosis, the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer and the limited availability of systemic treatments, five yearsthe survival rate for patients who have pancreatic adenocarcinoma is only 5%. For cancer that can not be completely removed with surgery, or cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas, cure is not possible at present and the average survival is usually less than 1 year.

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