Pancreatic Cancer - What you need to know

by Kristen White Blogger

The pancreas is a vital organ located behind the stomach that regulates the body's blood sugar levels by producing two essential hormones - insulin and glucagon. Glucagon is responsible for providing nourishment to the body by increasing the glucose level when it is low. Insulin, on the other hand, helps the body cells to absorb glucose from the digested food. The pancreas plays a critical role in aiding digestion as it supplies enzymes to the digestive tract, which is necessary for digesting carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Malignant cells can form on the tissues of the pancreas, which leads to pancreatic cancer. Since this type of cancer is diagnosed at the later stage of life because of the location of the pancreas, it is often called a silent disease.

This is why you are advised to get a regular checkup from the best medical oncology doctor in Delhi to make sure that your body is free of any malignant cell development.

To help you know more about pancreatic cancer, we have created this post. We will discuss everything from its symptoms, causes, types, risk factors, and diagnosis. So, keep on reading.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer targets the tissues within the pancreas. When abnormal cells begin to grow within the organ and form tumors, it results in pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, the cause of pancreas cancer is still unknown. Generally, the human body experiences the growth and decay of cells in moderate numbers. When it comes to cancer, there is an increase in abnormal cell production. Slowly, these cells take over healthy cells, causing mutation.

It is still unknown what causes the changes in cells of the pancreas. However, according to experts, there are two primary factors that increase an individual's risk of developing pancreatic cancer. They are - acquired gene mutations and inherited gene mutations.

Experts believe that genes control the way our cells act. Therefore, changes in genes may cause cell mutation, leading to pancreatic cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer?

The problem with this type of cancer is that its signs and symptoms are very faint. They are hard to detect even at the advanced stages. Some signs may not even be evident in the early stages. So, early diagnosis is compromised, which leads to late treatment. Some of the most common symptoms that are noticed during later stages are:

● Light-colored or greasy stools

● Diarrhea

● Vomiting and nausea

● Leg pain, redness, and swelling

● Dark urine

● Excessive hunger or thirst

● Tiredness and weakness

● Sudden rise in blood sugar levels

● Depression

● Reduced appetite

● Skin and the whites of the eye turning yellow, indicating jaundice

● Blood clots

● Lower back and abdominal pain

● Sudden loss of weight

You are advised to keep yourself checked by the professionals at the top Delhi cancer specialist hospital to ensure early detection if there are any symptoms.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer

Typically, there are two types of pancreatic cancers:

1. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors - In this type of cancer, the patient experiences growth of tumors in the endocrine cells of the pancreas. It is a very rare type of pancreatic cancer.

2. Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma - This type of cancer targets the exocrine cells in the pancreas. This is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, meaning 95% of pancreatic cancer is Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Risk Factors

● Consuming food with high-fat content

● Family history

● Liver damage

● Exposure to toxic chemicals

● Excessive alcohol intake

● Lack of exercise and obesity

● Smoking

● Diabetes

How is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?

The detection of pancreatic cancer occurs in the later stages of life. If detected earlier, life expectancy is higher. If your doctor suspects that the symptoms relate to distress in your pancreas, he/she will order the following tests:

● Blood test

● Biopsy

● Endoscopic Ultrasound

● CT and MRI Scan

Make sure you visit your doctor regularly to keep your health in check.