The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach and in front of your spine. It produces juices that help break down food and hormones that help control blood sugar levels. Cancer of the pancreas is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
This Presentation gives summarized overview of Gall Bladder Carcinoma especially the management as per latest National Comprehensive Cancer Network(NCCN) Guidelines version 2.2013
This Presentation gives summarized overview of Gall Bladder Carcinoma especially the management as per latest National Comprehensive Cancer Network(NCCN) Guidelines version 2.2013
All you need to know about peri-ampullary cancer
Periampullary cancer is a common diagnosis with patient with progressive jaundice in northern part of India
Timely diagnosis and proper treatment in a way towards cure
Sites of the highest risk are the duodenum, for adenocarcinomas, and the ileum, for carcinoids and lymphomas.
In industrialized countries, small bowel cancers are predominantly adenocarcinomas;
In developing countries, lymphomas are much more common.
The incidence of small bowel cancer rises with age and has generally been higher among males than among females.
The risk factors for small bowel cancer include
Dietary factor
Cigarette smoking,
Alcohol intake,
Medical conditions -Crohn's disease, familial adenomatous polyposis, cholecystectomy, peptic ulcer disease, and cystic fibrosis.
The protective factors may include rapid cell turnover, a general absence of bacteria, an alkaline environment, and low levels of activating enzymes of precarcinogens.
All you need to know about peri-ampullary cancer
Periampullary cancer is a common diagnosis with patient with progressive jaundice in northern part of India
Timely diagnosis and proper treatment in a way towards cure
Sites of the highest risk are the duodenum, for adenocarcinomas, and the ileum, for carcinoids and lymphomas.
In industrialized countries, small bowel cancers are predominantly adenocarcinomas;
In developing countries, lymphomas are much more common.
The incidence of small bowel cancer rises with age and has generally been higher among males than among females.
The risk factors for small bowel cancer include
Dietary factor
Cigarette smoking,
Alcohol intake,
Medical conditions -Crohn's disease, familial adenomatous polyposis, cholecystectomy, peptic ulcer disease, and cystic fibrosis.
The protective factors may include rapid cell turnover, a general absence of bacteria, an alkaline environment, and low levels of activating enzymes of precarcinogens.
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer go undetected in the body and grow to the extent making the case of the patient terminal. In most of the cases, symptoms begin to surface only after the cancer becomes completely malignant. Adenocarcinoma is the medical term, assigned to such cancer and it is one the few forms of cancer, which has the lowest rate of recovery.
Here is a presentation about Pancreatic Cancer.
Steve Jobs and Ralph Steinman suffered from pancreatic cancer.
November : pancreatic cancer awareness month.
A few cases are included ,and these demonstrate different presentations of the same disease.
Pancreatic cancer is often indolent till late stages and is mostly advanced by the time it is diagnosed.
Surgical treatment is the mainstay of therapy . Chemotherapy can be tried. Intra operative radiation therapy is also being used in some centers. However the long term survival is low
What would you recommend as first line therapy for a 68 y/o woman with local pancreatic cancer and no metastatic disease with ECOG-1?
Chemoradiation: Rachna Shroff, MD
Surgical Resection: Yongyut Sirivatanauksorn, MD
Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the kidneys and the other organs of the body.
Normal cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When normal cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.
Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when the body doesn’t need them, and old or damaged cells don’t die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.
Tumors in the kidney can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign tumors are not as harmful as malignant tumors:
Benign tumors (such as cysts):
-- are usually not a threat to life
-- can be treated or removed and usually don’t grow back
-- don’t invade the tissues around them
-- don’t spread to other parts of the body
Malignant growths:
-- may be a threat to life
-- usually can be removed but can grow back
-- can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs
-- can spread to other parts of the body
Kidney cancer cells can spread by breaking away from the kidney tumor. They can travel through lymph vessels to nearby lymph nodes. They can also spread through blood vessels to the lungs, bones, or liver. After spreading, kidney cancer cells may attach to other tissues and grow to form new tumors that may damage those tissues.
National Cancer Institute:
Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.
Normal cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When normal cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.
Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when the body doesn't need them, and old or damaged cells don't die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth, nodule, or tumor.
Growths in the liver can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign tumors are not as harmful as malignant tumors:
Benign tumors:
-- are rarely a threat to life
-- can be removed and usually don't grow back
-- don't invade the tissues around them
-- don't spread to other parts of the body
Malignant growths:
-- may be a threat to life
-- sometimes can be removed but can grow back
-- can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs (such as the stomach or intestine)
-- can spread to other parts of the body
Most primary liver cancers begin in hepatocytes (liver cells). This type of cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma or malignant hepatoma.
Liver cancer cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor. They mainly spread by entering blood vessels, but liver cancer cells can also be found in lymph nodes. The cancer cells may attach to other tissues and grow to form new tumors that may damage those tissues.
The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder
that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is common among older men. It is
rare in men younger than 40. Risk factors for developing prostate cancer
include being over 65 years of age, family history, being African-American, and
some genetic changes.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
-- Problems passing urine, such as pain,
difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling
-- Low back pain
-- Pain with ejaculation
Your doctor will diagnose prostate cancer
by feeling the prostate through the wall of the rectum or doing a blood test
for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Other tests include ultrasound, x-rays, or
a biopsy.
Treatment often depends on the stage of the
cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding
tissue helps determine the stage. Men with prostate cancer have many treatment
options. The treatment that's best for one man may not be best for another. The
options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy,
and chemotherapy. You may have a combination of treatments.
Cancer that forms in tissues of the bladder (the organ that stores urine). Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in cells that normally make up the inner lining of the bladder). Other types include squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids). The cells that form squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma develop in the inner lining of the bladder as a result of chronic irritation and inflammation.
Cancer that
forms in the tissue lining the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped
organ in a woman's pelvis in which a fetus develops). Most endometrial
cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and
release mucus and other fluids).
NCI
The thyroid is a gland at
the front of your neck beneath your voice box (larynx).
A healthy thyroid is a little larger than a quarter. It usually can’t be felt
through the skin.
The thyroid has two parts (lobes). A thin
piece of tissue (the isthmus)
connects the two lobes.
The thyroid makes hormones:
-- Thyroid hormone: The thyroid
follicular cells make thyroid
hormone. This hormone affects heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature,
and weight. For example, too much thyroid hormone makes your heart race, and
too little makes you feel very tired.
-- Calcitonin: The C
cells in the thyroid make calcitonin.
This hormone plays a small role in keeping a healthy level of calcium in
the body.
Four or more tiny parathyroid
glands are on the back of the thyroid. These glands make parathyroid
hormone. This hormone plays a big role in helping the body maintain a
healthy level of calcium.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/thyroid
A colonoscopy is an exam used to look for changes — such as swollen, irritated tissues, polyps or cancer — in the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum. A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon.
If necessary, polyps or other types of abnormal tissue can be removed through the scope during a colonoscopy. Tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken during a colonoscopy as well
Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas — an organ in your abdomen that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of sugars.
Cancer that forms in tissues of the pharynx
(the hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the
top of the windpipe and esophagus). Throat cancer includes cancer of the
nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose), the oropharynx (the
middle part of the pharynx), and the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the
pharynx). Cancer of the larynx (voice box) may also be included as a type of
throat cancer. Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that
begins in thin, flat cells that look like fish scales). Also called pharyngeal
cancer.
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.
Welcome to today's discussion on a crucial topic that concerns the well-being of individuals worldwide. Today, we'll discuss an important aspect of cancer diagnosis – identifying the 10 signs that pancreatic cancer has spread.
Pancreatic cancer, known for its aggressive nature, requires early detection and appropriate medical attention to ensure the best chances of successful treatment.
By understanding these 10 signs that pancreatic cancer has spread, we aim to empower you with important knowledge that can potentially save lives and help make informed decisions.
So, let us embark on this educational journey together, equipping ourselves with crucial information that can make a difference in our fight against pancreatic cancer.
Oral cancer can form in any part of the mouth or throat. Most oral cancers begin in the tongue and in the floor of the mouth. Anyone can get oral cancer, but the risk is higher if you are male, over age 40, use tobacco or alcohol or have a history of head or neck cancer. Frequent sun exposure is also a risk for lip cancer.
Rectal cancer grows in the rectum cells which are placed beneath the sigmoid colon and over the anus in our body. The rectal and colon that are present in the body come together, that is colorectal cancer. The reason behind these circumstances is that they both are part of the digestive system.
Overweight and obesity are both labels
for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally
considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges
of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain
diseases and other health problems.
Corneal injury describes an injury to the
cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue covering the front
of the eye. It works with the lens of the eye to focus images on the retina.
Have you ever had
the "stomach flu?" What you probably had was gastroenteritis - not a
type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the
intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is
the second most common illness in the U.S. It spreads through contaminated food
or water, and contact with an infected person. The best prevention is frequent
hand washing.
Symptoms of
gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever
and chills. Most people recover with no treatment.
The most common
problem with gastroenteritis is dehydration. This happens if you do not drink
enough fluids to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration
is most common in babies, young children, the elderly and people with weak
immune systems.
Drug addiction is a complex illness characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with compulsive drug seeking and use that persist even in the face of devastating consequences. While the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs, over time a person's ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised, and seeking and consuming the drug becomes compulsive. This behavior results largely from the effects of prolonged drug exposure on brain functioning. Addiction is a brain disease that affects multiple brain circuits, including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and inhibitory control over behavior.
Because drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of an individual's life, treatment is not simple. Effective treatment programs typically incorporate many components, each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work, and in society. Because addiction is typically a chronic disease, people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Most patients require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of their lives.
Too often, addiction goes untreated: According to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 23.2 million persons (9.4 percent of the U.S. population) aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2007. Of these individuals, 2.4 million (10.4 percent of those who needed treatment) received treatment at a specialty facility (i.e., hospital, drug or alcohol rehabilitation or mental health center). Thus, 20.8 million persons (8.4 percent of the population aged 12 or older) needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem but did not receive it. These estimates are similar to those in previous years.
Addiction results when a person ingests a
substance (alcohol, cocaine, or nicotine, for example) or repeatedly takes part
in an activity (gambling) that can be pleasurable, but the continued use of
which becomes compulsive and interferes with everyday life.
Common addictions include:
-- Alcohol abuse
-- Drug abuse
-- Exercise abuse
-- Pornography
-- Gambling
Classic symptoms of addiction include
impaired control over substances/behavior, preoccupation with
substance/behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial. Behavior
patterns and habits associated with addiction are commonly characterized by the
pursuit of immediate gratification, coupled with negative long-term effects.
Physiological dependence results when the
body is unable to function normally in the absence of the substance or
behavior. This state produces the conditions of tolerance and withdrawl.
Tolerance is the result of the body
requiring larger volumes of the substance or stimulus in order to achieve the
original effects.
Withdrawal is the physical and
psychological symptoms experienced when the body no longer receives the
substance in the same quantities it has become reliant upon.
When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying
warm and safe can become a challenge. Extremely cold temperatures
often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor hazards.
Many homes will be too cold—either due to a power failure or because the heating system isn't adequate for the weather. When people must use space heaters and fireplaces to stay warm, the risk of household fires increases, as well as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause other serious or life-threatening health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. To keep yourself and your family safe, you should know how to prevent cold-related health problems and what to do if a cold-weather health emergency arises. The emergency procedures outlined here are not a substitute for training in first aid. However, these procedures will help you to know when to seek medical care and what to do until help becomes available.
Maintaining a healthy office environment requires attention to chemical hazards, equipment and work station design, physical environment (temperature, humidity, light, noise, ventilation, and space), task design, psychological factors (personal interactions, work pace, job control) and sometimes, chemical or other environmental exposures.
A well-designed office allows each employee to work comfortably without needing to over-reach, sit or stand too long, or use awkward postures (correct ergonomic design). Sometimes, equipment or furniture changes are the best solution to allow employees to work comfortably. On other occasions, the equipment may be satisfactory but the task could be redesigned. For example, studies have shown that those working at computers have less discomfort with short, hourly breaks.
Situations in offices that can lead to injury or illness range from physical hazards (such as cords across walkways, leaving low drawers open, objects falling from overhead) to task-related (speed or repetition, duration, job control, etc.), environmental (chemical or biological sources) or design-related hazards (such as nonadjustable furniture or equipment). Job stress that results when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities or resources of the worker may also result in illness.
When quitting smoking many people feel the need
for help in the form of a tobacco substitute. There are a wide variety of
different products billed as alternatives to smoking that are supposedly healthier.
The main additive in cigarettes that makes them so addictive is
nicotine. Hence most of the products that aim to replace smoking are nicotine
replacements such as nicotine gum, inhalers, patches and medications.
Other products are sold as smokeless tobacco such as snuff and hookah or as better because they are low yield cigarettes. Not all of these smoking substitutes are
healthy or even better than cigarettes.
Tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence and serious health problems. Cessation can significantly reduce the risk of suffering from smoking-related diseases. Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that often requires repeated interventions, but effective treatments and helpful resources exist. Smokers can and do quit smoking. In fact, today there are more former smokers than current smokers.
Small changes can make a big difference in reducing your chances of having alcohol-related problems. Whatever strategies you choose, give them a fair trial. If one approach doesn't work, try something else. But if you haven't made progress in cutting down after 2 to 3 months, consider quitting drinking altogether, seeking professional help, or both.
Here are some strategies to try, and you can add your own at the end. Check off perhaps two or three to try in the next week or two. Then click List my choices, and you can print or email them to yourself.
-- Keep track -Keep track of how much you drink. Find a way that works for you, carry drinking tracker cards in your wallet, make check marks on a kitchen calendar, or enter notes in a mobile phone notepad or personal digital assistant. Making note of each drink before you drink it may help you slow down when needed.
-- Count and measure -Know the standard drink sizes so you can count your drinks accurately. Measure drinks at home. Away from home, it can be hard to keep track, especially with mixed drinks, and at times, you may be getting more alcohol than you think. With wine, you may need to ask the host or server not to "top off" a partially filled glass.
-- Set goals -Decide how many days a week you want to drink and how many drinks you'll have on those days. It's a good idea to have some days when you don't drink. Drinkers with the lowest rates of alcohol use disorders stay within the low-risk limits.
-- Pace and space -When you do drink, pace yourself. Sip slowly. Have no more than one standard drink with alcohol per hour. Have "drink spacers"—make every other drink a non-alcoholic one, such as water, soda, or juice.
-- Include food -Don't drink on an empty stomach. Eat some food so the alcohol will be absorbed into your system more slowly.
-- Find alternatives -If drinking has occupied a lot of your time, then fill free time by developing new, healthy activities, hobbies, and relationships, or renewing ones you've missed. If you have counted on alcohol to be more comfortable in social situations, manage moods, or cope with problems, then seek other, healthy ways to deal with those areas of your life.
-- Avoid "triggers." -What triggers your urge to drink? If certain people or places make you drink even when you don't want to, try to avoid them. If certain activities, times of day, or feelings trigger the urge, plan something else to do instead of drinking. If drinking at home is a problem, keep little or no alcohol there.
-- Plan to handle urges -When you cannot avoid a trigger and an urge hits, consider these options: Remind yourself of your reasons for changing (it can help to carry them in writing or store them in an electronic message you can access easily). Or talk things through with someone you trust. Or get involved with a healthy, distracting activity, such as physical exercise or a hobby that doesn't involve drinking. Or, instead of fighting the feeling, accept i
Don't give up
Changing habits such as smoking, overeating, or drinking too much can take a lot of effort, and you may not succeed with the first try. Setbacks are common, but you learn more each time. Each try brings you closer to your goal. Whatever course you choose, give it a fair trial.
If one approach doesn't work, try something else. If a setback happens, get back on track as quickly as possible. In the long run, your chances for success are good.
Research shows that most heavy drinkers, even those with alcoholism, either cut back significantly or quit.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that people who have a history of alcoholism experience when they stop drinking. People who are casual drinkers rarely have withdrawal symptoms.
People who have gone through withdrawal before are more likely to have withdrawal symptoms each time they quit drinking.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from severe to mild, and can include:
-- Insomnia
-- Nightmares
-- Irritability
-- Fatigue
-- Shakes
-- Sweats
-- Anxiety
-- Depression
-- Headaches
-- Decreased appetite
Severe withdrawal symptoms include fever, convulsions and delirium tremens (DTs). Those who experience DTs may become confused, anxious and even have hallucinations. DTs can be very serious if they are not treated by a doctor.
Eat healthy
-- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day.
-- Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
-- Eat a balanced diet to help keep a healthy weight.
--
Learn the Facts
When you get a preventive medical test,
you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and
loved ones:
-- Men are 24 percent less likely than women
to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to
have neglected their cholesterol tests.
-- Men are 28 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
-- Men are 32 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than
twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications
related to diabetes.
-- Men are 24 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an
immunization.
The single most important way you can take
care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health
care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your
doctor. This site will help you get started.
Learn the Facts
When you get a preventive medical test, you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and loved ones:
-- Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
-- Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
-- Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
-- Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
When you get a preventive medical test, you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and loved ones:
Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
Cancer screening is an essential part of preventative health screening for women of all ages. Here you can read about screening for breast and gynecological cancers.
Injury is the #1 killer of children and teens in the United States. In 2009, more than 9,000 youth age 0-19 died from unintentional injuries in the United States. Millions more children suffer injuries requiring treatment in the emergency department. Leading causes of child injury include motor vehicle crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fires, and falls.1 Child injury is predictable and preventable. It is also among the most under-recognized public health problems facing our country today.
Progress has been made in preventing child injury. Child injury death rates have decreased 29% in the last decade.2 Yet injury is still the leading cause of death for children and teens. More can be done to keep our children safe.
Shiatsu is a physical therapy that supports
and strengthens the body’s natural ability to heal and balance itself. It works
on the whole person - not just a physical body, but also a psychological,
emotional and spiritual being.
Shiatsu originated in Japan from traditional
Chinese medicine, with influences from more recent Western therapies. Although
shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’ in Japanese, in practise a practitioner uses
touch, comfortable pressure and manipulative techniques to adjust the body’s
physical structure and balance its energy flow. It is a deeply relaxing
experience and regular treatments can alleviate stress and illness and maintain
health and well-being.
1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Pancreatic Cancer
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12
2. Overview
The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach and
in front of your spine. It produces juices that help
break down food and hormones that help control
blood sugar levels. Cancer of the pancreas is the
fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 1
3. Symptoms
Early cancer of the pancreas often doesn’t cause
symptoms. When the cancer grows larger, you may
notice one or more of these common symptoms:
-- Dark urine, pale stools, and yellow skin and eyes
from jaundice
-- Pain in the upper part of your belly
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 2
4. Symptoms
-- Pain in the middle part of your back that doesn’t
go away when you shift your position
-- Nausea and vomiting
-- Stools that float in the toilet
Also, advanced cancer may cause these general
symptoms:
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 3
5. Symptoms
-- Weakness or feeling very tired
-- Loss of appetite or feelings of fullness
-- Weight loss for no known reason
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 4
6. Symptoms
These symptoms may be caused by pancreatic
cancer or by other health problems. People with
these symptoms should tell their doctor so that
problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as
possible.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 5
7. Diagnosis
If you have symptoms that suggest cancer of the
pancreas, your doctor will try to find out what’s
causing the problems.
You may have blood or other lab tests. Also, you
may have one or more of the following tests:
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 6
8. Diagnosis
**Physical exam**
: Your doctor feels your abdomen to check for
changes in areas near the
pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and spleen. Your
doctor also checks for an abnormal buildup of fluid
in the abdomen. Also, your skin and eyes may be
checked for signs of jaundice.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 7
9. Diagnosis
**CT scan**
: An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a
series of detailed pictures of your pancreas, nearby
organs, and blood vessels in your abdomen. You
may receive an injection of contrast material so
your pancreas shows up clearly in the pictures.
Also, you may be asked to drink water so your
stomach and duodenum show up better. On the CT
scan, your doctor may see a tumor in the pancreas
or elsewhere in the abdomen.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 8
10. Diagnosis
**Ultrasound**
: Your doctor places the ultrasound device on your
abdomen and slowly moves it around. The
ultrasound device uses sound waves that can’t be
heard by humans. The sound waves make a
pattern of echoes as they bounce off internal
organs. The echoes create a picture of your
pancreas and other organs in the abdomen. The
picture may show a tumor or blocked ducts.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 9
11. Diagnosis
**EUS**
: Your doctor passes a thin, lighted tube
(endoscope) down your throat, through your
stomach, and into the first part of the small
intestine. An ultrasound probe at the end of the
tube sends out sound waves that you can’t hear.
The waves bounce off tissues in your pancreas and
other organs. As your doctor slowly withdraws the
probe from the intestine toward the stomach, the
computer creates a picture of the pancreas from
the echoes. The picture can show a tumor in the
pancreas. It can also sho
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 10
12. Diagnosis
**EUS**
Some doctors use the following tests also:
-- **ERCP**
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 11
13. Diagnosis
**EUS**
: The doctor passes an endoscope through your
mouth and stomach, down into the first part of
your small intestine. Your doctor slips a smaller
tube through the endoscope into the bile ducts
and pancreatic ducts. (See picture of ducts.) After
injecting dye through the smaller tube into the
ducts, the doctor takes x-ray pictures. The x-rays
can show whether the ducts are narrowed or
blocked by a tumor or other condition.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 12
14. Diagnosis
**EUS**
-- **MRI**
: A large machine with a strong magnet linked to a
computer is used to make detailed pictures of
areas inside your body.
-- **PET scan**
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 13
15. Diagnosis
**EUS**
: You’ll receive an injection of a small amount of
radioactive sugar. The radioactive sugar gives off
signals that the PET scanner picks up. The PET
scanner makes a picture of the places in your body
where the sugar is being taken up. Cancer cells
show up brighter in the picture because they take
up sugar faster than normal cells do. A PET scan
may show a tumor in the pancreas. It can also
show cancer that has spread to other parts of the
body.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 14
16. Diagnosis
**EUS**
-- **Needle biopsy**
: The doctor uses a thin needle to remove a small
sample of tissue from the pancreas. EUS or CT may
be used to guide the needle. A pathologist uses a
microscope to look for cancer cells in the tissue.
You may want to ask the doctor these questions
before having a biopsy:
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=12 15
17. Diagnosis
**EUS**
-- Do you recommend that I have a biopsy? If
so, why?
-- How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it
hurt?
-- Is there a risk that a needle biopsy procedure will
cause the cancer to spread? What are the chances
of infection or bleeding after the biopsy?
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18. Diagnosis
**EUS**
-- Are there any other risks?
-- How soon will I know the results? How do I get a
copy of the pathology report?
-- If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about
treatment? When?
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19. Treatment
Treatment options for people with cancer of the
pancreas are surgery, chemotherapy, targeted
therapy, and radiation therapy. You’ll probably
receive more than one type of treatment.
The treatment that’s right for you depends mainly
on the following:
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20. Treatment
-- The location of the tumor in your pancreas
-- Whether the disease has spread
-- Your age and general health
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21. Treatment
At this time, cancer of the pancreas can be cured
only when it’s found at an early stage (before it has
spread) and only if surgery can completely remove
the tumor. For people who can’t have surgery,
other treatments may be able to help them live
longer and feel better.
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22. Treatment
You may want to talk with your doctor about
taking part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are
research studies testing new treatments. They are
an important option for people with all stages of
cancer of the pancreas. See the Taking Part in
Cancer Research section.
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23. Treatment
You may have a team of specialists to help plan
your treatment. Your doctor may refer you to a
specialist, or you may ask for a referral. Specialists
who treat cancer of the pancreas include
surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation
oncologists, and gastroenterologists. Your health
care team may also include an oncology nurse.
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24. Treatment
For help relieving or reducing pain, you may work
with a specially trained doctor, a nurse, a palliative
care team, or another pain control specialist. See
the Supportive Care section.
For help reducing eating problems and maintaining
your weight, you may work with a registered
dietitian. See the Nutrition section.
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25. Treatment
Your health care team can describe your treatment
choices, the expected results of each, and the
possible side effects. Because cancer treatments
often damage healthy cells and tissues, side effects
are common. These side effects depend on many
factors, including the type and extent of treatment.
Side effects may not be the same for each person,
and they may even change from one treatment
session to the next. Before treatment starts, ask
your health care team about possible side effects
and how
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26. Treatment
You may want to ask your doctor these questions
before you begin treatment:
-- What is the stage of the disease? Has the cancer
spread?
-- Do I need any more tests to find out whether I
can have surgery?
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27. Treatment
-- What is the goal of treatment? What are my
treatment choices? Which do you suggest for me?
Why?
-- What are the expected benefits of each kind of
treatment?
-- What can I do to prepare for treatment?
-- Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for how
long?
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28. Treatment
-- What are the risks and possible side effects of
each treatment? How can side effects be
managed?
-- How will you treat my pain?
-- What is the treatment likely to cost? Will my
insurance cover it?
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29. Treatment
-- How will treatment affect my normal activities?
Am I likely to have eating problems or other
problems?
-- Would a research study (clinical trial) be a good
choice for me?
-- Can you recommend other doctors who could
give me a second opinion about my treatment
options?
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30. Treatment
-- How often should I have checkups?
**Surgery**
Surgery may be an option for people with an early
stage of pancreatic cancer. The surgeon usually
removes only the part of the pancreas that has
cancer. But, in some cases, the whole pancreas
may be removed.
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31. Treatment
The type of surgery depends on the location of the
tumor in the pancreas. Surgery to remove a tumor
in the head of the pancreas is called a Whipple
procedure. The Whipple procedure is the most
common type of surgery for pancreatic cancer. You
and your surgeon may talk about the types of
surgery and which may be right for you.
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32. Treatment
In addition to part or all of your pancreas, the
surgeon usually removes the following nearby
tissues:
-- Duodenum
-- Gallbladder
-- Common bile duct
-- Part of your stomach
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33. Treatment
Also, the surgeon may remove your spleen and
nearby lymph nodes.
Surgery for pancreatic cancer is a major operation.
You will need to stay in the hospital for one to two
weeks afterward. Your health care team will watch
for signs of bleeding, infection, or other problems.
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34. Treatment
It takes time to heal after surgery, and the time
needed to recover is different for each person. You
may have pain or discomfort for the first few days.
Medicine can help control your pain. Before
surgery, you should discuss the plan for pain relief
with your health care team. After surgery, they can
adjust the plan if you need more pain control. See
the Supportive Care section.
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35. Treatment
It’s common to feel weak or tired for a while. You
may need to rest at home for one to three months
after leaving the hospital.
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36. Treatment
After surgery, it may be hard to digest food. For
four to six weeks after Whipple surgery, you may
feel bloated or full, and you may have nausea and
vomiting. A dietitian can help you change your diet
to reduce your discomfort. Problems with eating
usually go away within three months. See the
Nutrition section.
You may want to ask your doctor these questions
before having surgery:
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37. Treatment
-- What type of surgery do you recommend for
me? Why?
-- Will tissues other than the tumor in the pancreas
be removed
-- Why?
-- How many times have you performed this
surgery? How many pancreatic cancer patients do
you treat each year?
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38. Treatment
-- How will I feel after surgery?
-- Am I likely to have eating problems? Will I need a
special diet
-- Who can help me if I have a problem?
-- If I have pain, how will you control it?
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39. Treatment
-- How long will I be in the hospital?
-- Will I have any long-term effects because of the
surgery?
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40. Treatment
**Chemotherapy**
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Most
people with pancreatic cancer get chemotherapy.
For early pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy is
usually given after surgery, but in some cases, it’s
given before surgery. For advanced
cancer, chemotherapy is used alone, with targeted
therapy, or with radiation therapy.
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41. Treatment
**Chemotherapy**
Chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer is usually
given by vein (intravenous). The drugs enter the
bloodstream and travel throughout your body.
Chemotherapy may be given in an outpatient part
of the hospital, at the doctor’s office, or at home.
Rarely, you may need to stay in the hospital.
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42. Treatment
**Chemotherapy**
The side effects depend mainly on which drugs are
given and how much. Chemotherapy kills fast-
growing cancer cells, but the drugs can also harm
normal cells that divide rapidly:
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43. Treatment
**Chemotherapy**
Blood cells: When drugs lower the levels of healthy
blood cells, you’re more likely to get
infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very
weak and tired. Your health care team will check
for low levels of blood cells. If your levels are
low, your health care team may stop the
chemotherapy for a while or reduce the dose of
the drug. There are also medicines that can help
your body make new blood cells.
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44. Treatment
**Chemotherapy**
Cells in hair roots: Chemotherapy may cause hair
loss. If you lose your hair, it will grow back after
treatment, but the color and texture may be
changed.
Cells that line the digestive tract: Chemotherapy
can cause a poor appetite, nausea and
vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Your
health care team can give you medicines and
suggest other ways to help with these problems.
They usually go away when treatment ends.
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45. Treatment
**Chemotherapy**
Some drugs used for pancreatic cancer also may
cause tingling or numbness in your hands and feet.
Your health care team can suggest ways to control
many of these side effects.
You may wish to read the NCI booklet
Chemotherapy and You.
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46. Treatment
**Targeted Therapy**
People with cancer of the pancreas who can’t have
surgery may receive a type of drug called targeted
therapy along with chemotherapy.
Targeted therapy slows the growth of pancreatic
cancer. It also helps prevent cancer cells from
spreading. The drug is taken by mouth.
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47. Treatment
**Targeted Therapy**
Side effects may include diarrhea, nausea,
vomiting, a rash, and shortness of breath. You may
want to read the NCI fact sheet Targeted Cancer
Therapies.
You may want to ask your doctor these questions
about chemotherapy or targeted therapy:
-- Why do I need this treatment?
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48. Treatment
**Targeted Therapy**
-- Which drug or drugs will I have?
-- How do the drugs work?
-- When will treatment start? When will it end?
-- Will I have any long-term side effects?
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49. Treatment
**Radiation Therapy**
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill
cancer cells. It can be given along with other
treatments, including chemotherapy.
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50. Treatment
**Radiation Therapy**
The radiation comes from a large machine. The
machine aims beams of radiation at the cancer in
the abdomen. You’ll go to a hospital or clinic 5 days
a week for several weeks to receive radiation
therapy. Each session takes about 30 minutes.
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51. Treatment
**Radiation Therapy**
Although radiation therapy is painless, it may
cause other side effects. The side effects include
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. You may also feel
very tired. Your health care team can suggest ways
to treat or control these side effects.
You may find it helpful to read the NCI booklet
Radiation Therapy and You.
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52. Treatment
**Radiation Therapy**
You may want to ask your doctor these questions
about radiation
-- Why do I need this treatment?
-- When will the treatments begin? When will they
end?
-- How will I feel during treatment?
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53. Treatment
**Radiation Therapy**
-- How will we know if the radiation treatment is
working?
-- Will I have any long-term side effects?
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54. Risks
Some risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer
include:
-- Smoking
-- Long-term diabetes
-- Chronic pancreatitis
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55. Risks
-- Certain hereditary disorders
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