Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect early since it is a "silent" disease. By the time symptoms appear and it is detected, the cancer has often progressed. Treatment depends on cancer stage and location, and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or clinical trials. Even with treatment, prognosis is often poor, with only 20% of surgically treated patients surviving 5 years and metastatic cancer having a average survival of just over 6 months. Lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise can increase pancreatic cancer risk.

1. Pancreatic Cancer The Silent Killer
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2. What is Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a silent disease which leaves it difficult to detect. Once the cancer is detected
it has already progressed and immediate treatment is necessary in order to increase a person’s
chance of survival. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth deadliest cancer and it is important that
everyone has knowledge of treatments available for the cancer, pharmaceutical and surgical
procedures related to the cancer, prognosis, patient teaching involving the cancer, and legal or
ethical issues regarding prognosis.
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3. Signs and Symptoms
 Weight loss
 Juandice (yellow skin)
 Dark urine
 Light stool color
 Itching
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Back pain
 Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
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4. Functions
 The two major functions of the pancreas
are to produce enzymes to help digest food
and produce hormones to regulate the
body's use of sugar
(Medicine.net, 2009)
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5. Treatments for pancreatic cancer and surgical procedures
Treating pancreatic cancer is very important because a patient left untreated could possibly
die because the cancer is very aggressive. Also, “treatments for pancreatic cancer depends on
the stage of the cancer, location of the cancer, the age of the person, and the health of the
patient.” (Mayo clinic staff, 2011). ). “Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and
clinical trials are all treatment options for pancreatic cancer.” (Mayo clinic staff, 2011). Having
different forms of therapies to treat pancreatic cancer is great because it allows the doctor to have
different ways to eliminate the cancer. However there are surgeries that treat pancreatic cancer
such as pancreatoduodenectomy, or a pancreatectomy. (Mayo clinic staff, 2011). “Angiogenesis
inhibitors , and pancreatic cancer vaccines are drugs used to treat and prevent pancreatic cancer.”
(Mayo clinic staff, 2011).
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6. Radiation Therapy
 Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) uses high-
powered radiation to damage cancer cells
and stop them from growing.
(Medicine.net, 2009).
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7. Prognosis of Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a very difficult disease and even with surgical removal of the tumors the risk of it returning
and subsequent death remains high. (Nugent, 2011). This form of cancer has to be taken seriously because it
can take a person’s life quickly because it is a silent cancer. Yearly physicals are important because physicians
can tell if his or her patients have pancreatic cancer through signs and symptoms. “Only twenty percent of
patients undergoing a Whipple procedure for curable pancreatic cancer live five years, with the rest surviving
an average less than two years.” (Nugent, 2011). Also “for patients with incurable pancreatic cancer survival
is shorter; typically it is measured in months.” (Nugent, 2011). Unfortunately, “with metastatic disease (stage iv)
the average survival is just over six months.” (Nugent, 2011). Doctors nationwide are working hard to improve
treatments for this disease but progress has been difficult to come by. (Nugent, 2011).
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8. Pancreatic cancer image
 “This abdominal CT scan shows a pancreatic
adenocarcinoma (mass) causing obstruction of
both the common bile duct (cbd) and pancreatic
duct (pd). (Medicine.net, 2009).
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9. Patient teaching
Pancreatic cancer is a very sad disease and it can be greatly reduced. Smoking doubles a person chance of
of getting pancreatic cancer. (Metcalf, 2011). Smoking actually increases the risk of multiple cancers which is
why people should not smoke. “Exercise and diet, having pancreatitis, and having type two diabetes all
Increases a person chance of getting pancreatic cancer.” (Metcalf, 2011). If a person lives a healthy lifestyle,
eats healthy foods, incorporate exercise into daily his or her routine, reduce the amount of alcohol he or she
drinks, and have knowledge of family health history the chances of getting pancreatic cancer will be greatly
reduced. (Metcalf, 2011). Learn what you need to know about your illness, assemble a support system, find
Someone to talk with, connect with other cancer survivors, come to terms with your illness, and consider
hospice. (Mayo clinic staff, 2011).
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10. Smoking and Pancreatic cancer
Please try not to smoke Smokers
Smokers are three to four times more likely
than nonsmokers to develop pancreatic cancer.
(Medicine.net, 2009).
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11. Nursing Assistant Role
Provide emotional support
Taking care of daily ADLs
Listen to the resident
Respect residents privacy and independence
Take vital signs
Assist with needed dressings
Provide skin care
Empty bedpans/urinals
Keep the room tidy
Report changes in appetite
Report sleep changes
Report changes in skin color or condition
Report emotional changes (crying, depression, feeling of hopelessness)
Establish good communication with the resident
Touch is very important
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12. References
Mayo clinic staff. (2011). Treatment and drugs. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/.../pancreatic_
cancer/…/DSection=treatments
Nugent, F. (2011). Pancreatic Cancer. Retrieved from http:// www.medicinenet.com › ... › cancer az list ›
pancreatic cancer index
Metcalf, E. (2011). Pancreatic Cancer: What are the risk factors. Retreived from http://www.en.over-blog.com
/How_toreduce_your_risk_of_pancreatic_cancer_1228321774_art400260.html
Medicine.net.(2009). Pancreatic Cancer Picture Slide Show. Retreived from http: www.medicinenet.com ›
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