Pancreatic Cancer (HCA240)
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This document shows a chart comparing the 5-year relative survival rates for the top 5 causes of cancer deaths: lung at 18%, colon at 65%, breast at 90%, pancreas at 6%, and prostate at 100%. It also includes a diagram labeling the head, body, and tail of the pancreas as well as treatments for cancer including radiation and chemotherapy.
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Pancreatic Cancer (HCA240)
- 1. C. Michelle Block | HCA/240 | May 16, 2014 | Sherrie Sheets
- 4. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Lung Colon Breast Pancreas Prostate 18% 65% 90% 6% 100% 2014 Five-Year Relative Survival Rates Top Five Causes of Cancer Deaths
- 14. Radiation Chemo
Editor's Notes
- Introduction: Survival rates for pancreatic cancer have remained in the single digits for more than 40 years. The five-year relative survival rate is only six percent; 73 percent of patients will die within the first year after diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cancer killer in the United States. Researchers project that by the year 2020 it will be second only to lung cancer.
- Introduction:The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most patients are at least 45 years old (however, children as young as 8 have lost their lives to pancreatic cancer). Approximately 9 out of 10 are over the age of 55; 7 out of 10 are at least 65. The average age at diagnosis is 71. In addition, men are 30% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women. Blacks are also at a higher risk than whites.
- “Pancreatic Cancer Is Still the Deadliest Cancer: The five-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just 6%, and there are still no early detection tools or lifesaving treatments. In fact, of all the major cancers, pancreatic cancer is the only one with a five-year relative survival rate in the single digits and one of the few for which incidence and death rates are increasing. In the last 40 years, the five-year relative survival rate for all cancer sites has risen from 49% to 68%, and some cancer survival rates are now close to 90% or above.” (www.pancan.org)
- Risk Factors & Prevention: While little is known about the cause of pancreatic cancer, there are lifestyle changes we can make in order to reduce our risk. Research has shown that poor eating habits, being overweight, smoking, a history of diabetes, heredity, and alcohol consumption can all increase our risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
- Detection & Symptoms: The prognosis for most patients with pancreatic cancer is extremely poor in light of the difficulty of diagnosing it. Pancreatic cancer shows no signs or symptoms in its early stages, and once “symptoms” do appear (usually in later stages) they are usually vague and often misdiagnosed. In addition, the location of the pancreas and very limited means of detection and testing also contribute to patients’ poor outcomes.
- Detection: The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can vary greatly from one patient to the next. Some of the most common symptoms include abdominal pain, back pain, jaundice, weight loss, poor appetite, and digestive problems; gallbladder enlargement, blood clots, and diabetes are also possible.
- How the cancer affects the body: In order to understand how pancreatic cancer affects the body, it is important to first understand what the pancreas is and the role it plays in our body’s digestion process. The pancreas is about six inches long, is situated between the stomach and the spine, and has three parts: the head, body, and tail. The pancreas has two main functions. First, it creates “juices” that aid in digestion by breaking down food. Second, it is responsible for producing hormones like insulin and glucagon that regulate blood sugar levels.The type of symptoms that occur are often related to the location of the malignancy; a cancer located in the head of the pancreas may be more likely to result in jaundice because the tumor can obstruct the bile duct. In contrast, jaundice may not occur at all if the origin is in the body or the tail.
- How the cancer affects the body: In order to understand how pancreatic cancer affects the body, it is important to first understand what the pancreas is and the role it plays in our body’s digestion process. The pancreas is about six inches long, is situated between the stomach and the spine, and has three parts: the head, body, and tail. The pancreas has two main functions. First, it creates “juices” that aid in digestion by breaking down food. Second, it is responsible for producing hormones like insulin and glucagon that regulate blood sugar levels.The type of symptoms that occur are often related to the location of the malignancy; a cancer located in the head of the pancreas may be more likely to result in jaundice because the tumor can obstruct the bile duct. In contrast, jaundice may not occur at all if the origin is in the body or the tail.
- Treatment options: Currently there are very few treatment options available for pancreatic cancer. The type of treatment a patient receives often varies according to the stage of the disease. The five standard types of treatment are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, chemo-radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
- Treatment options: The three surgical options available to patients with localized pancreatic cancer include the whipple procedure, total pancreatectomy, and distal pancreatectomy. However, in light of the rarity of early diagnosis, surgery is only an option for approximately 15-20 percent of patients.
- Treatment options: Radiation therapy is a treatment used to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing by emitting high-energy radiation.
- Treatment options: The list of chemotherapy treatments currently approved to treat pancreatic cancer patients is short. Gemzar® was approved in 1996 as the standard treatment for inoperable malignancies. Prior to gemcitabine, 5-FU was the “first line of defense” for patients. Most recently (September 2013), the FDA approved the use of ABRAXANE® in combination with Gemzar® to treat advanced pancreatic cancer.
- Treatment options: Chemo-radiation therapy combines radiation and chemotherapy in order to increase the effects of both.
- Treatment options: When other drugs or substances are used to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells, it is referred to as targeted therapy.
- Information & Support: The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the national leader in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The organization’s mission is to advance research, support patients, and create hope. PanCAN has developed a program called “Patient and Liaison Services” (PALS), a free service in which patients, families, and caregivers can obtain valuable information about the disease, specialists, clinical trials, diet and nutrition, and more. In addition, PanCAN has a volunteer network throughout 90 communities across the country. They are dedicated to helping raise public and media awareness, reaching out to health care professionals, advocating, and planning local events.
- Information & Support: The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the national leader in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The organization’s mission is to advance research, support patients, and create hope. PanCAN has developed a program called “Patient and Liaison Services” (PALS), a free service in which patients, families, and caregivers can obtain valuable information about the disease, specialists, clinical trials, diet and nutrition, and more. In addition, PanCAN has a volunteer network throughout 90 communities across the country. They are dedicated to helping raise public and media awareness, reaching out to health care professionals, advocating, and planning local events.
- American Cancer Society. (2014). Learn about cancer: Pancreatic cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreaticcancer/indexNational Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Cancer topics: Pancreatic cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/pancreaticPancreatic Cancer Action Network. (2014). Advance research. Support patients. Create hope. Retrieved from http://www.pancan.org/