Pancreatic cancer refers to cancer affecting the pancreas, a gland that helps digest food and regulate blood sugar. Diagnostic tests such as abdominal ultrasounds and biopsies are used to determine the cancer's stage and cause. Treatment options depend on the cancer's type and stage, and may include surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Recovery from pancreatic cancer treatment can be difficult, as side effects like weakness, pain, and nausea are common, but following a doctor's instructions and diet plan can aid healing.
2. What is Pancreatic Cancer?
The pancreas is a gland that is located in the abdomen below stomach. It helps in the
process of digestion by secreting pancreatic juice and also helps in regulating blood
glucose levels. Pancreatic cancer refers to cancer affecting the pancreas, the cancer in
pancreas could be benign (does not spread) or malignant (spreading) in nature.
Pancreatic cancer does not cause much signs and symptoms; when you do get
symptoms, they are often vague or you may not notice them. This makes it hard to
diagnose cancer at an early stage. However, once you have been diagnosed with the
problem, your doctor will assess your current health situation and will learn more
about your previous illness as well. After a thorough examination and evaluation, your
doctor will choose between surgery, radiation or chemotherapy or a combination of
one or more to help you recover fast.
3. To diagnose pancreatic cancer, certain diagnostic tests will be done to find the stage
and cause of it. Moreover, your doctor may ask about your medical history to know
more about your symptoms and other possible risk factors. Since pancreatic cancer
does not cause much signs and symptoms at early stage, later stages cause
symptoms like weight loss, loss of appetite, belly or back pain, liver enlargement,
etc. The recommended tests are abdominal ultrasound, Endoscopic ultrasound,
MRI, biopsy, PET scan, blood tests, etc.
Before the Procedure
5. How It Is Performed?
If you’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, then different treatment options will
be discussed with you depending on the type and stage of the cancer and other
factors, treatment options for people with pancreatic cancer can include:
•Surgery: Surgery is done to remove the affected part of the pancreas. If a cancer has
not metastasized (spread), it is possible to completely cure a patient by surgically
removing the cancer from the body. Different surgical procedures are:
Whipple procedure (most common in cancers of the head of the
pancreas): The pancreas head and sometimes the entire organ is
removed along with a portion of the stomach, lymph nodes, and other
tissue. The procedure is complex and risky with complications such as
infections, bleeding, and stomach problems.
6. Contd..
Distal pancreatectomy:The tail of pancreas is removed, and
sometimes part of the main organ along with the spleen.This
procedure is usually used to treat islet cell or neuroendocrine
tumours
Total pancreatectomy:The entire pancreas is removed. Although
you can live without a pancreas, but you will be diabetic for life
long as your body no longer produces insulin
•Radiation: Radiation treatment, also known as radiotherapy, destroys cancerous
cells by focusing high-energy rays on the cancer cells.This causes damage to the
molecules that make up the cancer cells. Radiotherapy can be used as a standalone
treatment to shrink a tumour or destroy cancer cells, and it is also used in
combination with other cancer treatments. Radiation treatments for pancreatic
cancer are usually given 5 days a week for 5 to 6 weeks.
7. •Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is generally used to treat cancer that has
spread or metastasized. Chemotherapy uses specially designed drugs which
are delivered into the body through various means, the drug has the
potential to identify the cancerous cells and to isolate the non-cancerous
cells, and this is made possible because the medicines travel throughout the
body.Treatment occurs in cycles so the body has time to heal between
doses.This is also done after the surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence of
pancreatic cancer.
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8. Recovery
Pancreatic cancer has some common side
effects like hair loss, nausea, fatigue, etc. The
patient may become weak and feel pain in the
treated area, which will heal and recover with
time. After the treatment you will have your
follow-up appointments. Where the doctor will
see how you are recovering. During these
visits, your doctors will try to learn more about
any discomforts that you might be facing. It is
paramount to follow the instructions of your
doctor and stick to the advised diet and
regime.
9. Potential Risks
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment is an invasive procedure, so there are chances of wound
infections, excessive bleeding or other complications in the treatment area.