Pancreatic Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment Insights

Pancreatic cancer is a severe condition often diagnosed at later stages. Understanding its symptoms, causes, and treatments can improve outcomes and quality of life.

Pancreas function

The pancreas is an organ located in the back of the abdominal cavity. It has an important duty:

• Produces digestive enzymes: helps break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
• Controls blood sugar levels: Produces hormones such as insulin.

Causes and Risk Factors

1. Genetics: Family history of pancreatic cancer.
2. Congenital disease: chronic diabetes or chronic pancreatitis
3. Lifestyle: Smokes, drinks alcohol regularly or eat foods that are high in fat
4. Age and Gender: Most common in people aged 50 years and over.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer

In the early stages, there are often no obvious symptoms. But in the advanced stage, the following symptoms may be encountered.

• Persistent stomach or back pain
• Yellow body, yellow eyes (jaundice)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite, nausea
• Pale grease, fat in the stool

Diagnosis

• Blood test: to look for tumor markers such as CA 19-9.
• Imaging tests: such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound: to check for more details.
• Biopsy: to confirm the diagnosis.