Pancreatic cancer treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, medications, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and treatment for symptoms of the condition and side effects of the treatment.
Causes Of pancreatic cancer
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known. But being woman, obesity, ageing, smoking habits, and genetic causes increase the risk of developing the condition.Signs & Symptoms Of pancreatic cancer
Early symptoms• Stomach pain that may radiate to back
• Jaundice
• Unexplained weight loss
Later symptoms
• Nausea
• Fever with chills
• Bowel disturbances
• Diabetes
Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
The condition can be diagnosed on the basis of• Physical examination
• Laboratory tests
• Ultrasonography: Trans-abdominal or endoscopic ultrasound.
• CT Scan
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
• PTC (Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography)
• Biopsy
Types of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancers are of two types, cancer of exocrine gland and cancer of endocrine gland. Most pancreatic cancers, about 95%, are of the exocrine gland. Various types of pancreatic cancers are as follows:- Exocrine tumors: This type of cancer is of the exocrine gland of pancreas and most of them are adenocarcinomas.
- Ductal Adenocarcinoma: This is the cancer of the cells that line the duct carrying digestive juice to the main pancreatic duct and to the duodenum. Thistype of cancer is mostly found in head of the pancreas but it can be anywhere in the pancreas.
- Acinar cell carcinoma: Acinar cells produce and secrete enzymes that help in digestion. This type of cancer is of acinar cells. This is a very rare type of cancer.
- Adenosquamous carcinoma: This type of pancreatic cancer is similar to that of adenocarcinoma of glands but in this type as the cells grow they become flat.
- Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm/tumors: This type of tumor is of the the main pancreatic duct or its side branches. This tumor forms finger like projections. These projections are known as papillae. Initially, they are benign but if not checked regularly they may become aggressive and invasive.
- Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: This type of cancer mostly affects the tail of the pancreas. In this there is a cyst which is malignant. The cyst is filled with thick gel like fluid called mucin.
- Pancreatoblastoma: This mainly involves acinar cells, in some the ductal elements or the endocrine cells are involved. It is rarely seen in children and even more rarely in adults.
- Serous cyst adenocarcinoma: This is almost always a benign tumor. It is a cyst that contains thin, watery fluid and can become very large and may press other organs and cause symptoms like if it presses bile duct may result in jaundice.
- Solid and pseudopapillarytumors: They are more common in women and young girls. They are benign or less malignant. They contain both solid and cystic parts. They mostly form in tail but may form anywhere in the pancreas. If they are removed completely the outcome is good.
- Endocrine tumors:These are cancers originating from endocrine tumor and affect the cells that produce hormones.
- Gastrinomas: They are formed in pancreas and the duodenum. They produce excess gastrin and cause peptic ulcers in these parts of digestive system. These are mostly cancerous.
- Glucagonomas:Most of these tumors are cancerous. They produce a hormone called glucagon in excess amount.
- Insulinomas:These tumors are mostly non-cancerous. They produce excess amount of insulin. This causes weakness, dizziness, drowsiness and loss of energy.
- Somatostatinomas:They are mostly cancerous. They produce excess amount of hormone, somatostatin.
- VIpomas:They are mostly cancerous. They produce excess amount of hormone, VIP.
Treatment Procedures
Pancreatic cancer treatment options are based on the stage of the disease.
- Surgery: Surgery is the best the option for pancreatic cancer if the disease is limited only to pancreas. In this the tumor and the nearby lymph nodes are removed.
- Chemotherapy: Sometimes, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used to shrink the tumor so that the tumor can be removed with clear margins. Then the adjuvant therapy starts. Post-operative therapy is also called adjuvant therapy. This therapy generally starts within 8 to 12 after the surgery. The time to start this treatment depends on the time patient requires to recover from the surgery. It generally goes on for six months. The treatment may include single drug or a combination. There can be side effects of the chemotherapy treatment.
- Radiation therapy: Use of radiation therapy after the surgery depends on the condition of the patient. If the margins are not clear after the surgery then radiation therapy may be used.
- Immunotherapy: In this body’s natural defence system is boosted to fight the cancer cells. There are different types of immunotherapies and they can have different side effects.
If patient has undergone treatment before the surgery then the need for post-surgical treatment depends on the condition of the patient and his/her overall health. The treatment option depends on the advancement of the pancreatic cancer.
Complications/Risk factors associated with treatment procedures
- Pain, weakness, and tiredness
- Difficulty in digestion
- Diabetes due to loss of insulin
Am I a Good Candidate for treatment/surgery?
If the pancreatic cancer is confined to head of the pancreas and not spread to liver, abdomen and nearby major blood vessels those patients are eligible for pancreatic cancer surgery.
Recovery time
After the surgery hospital stay is required for several days and after that home rest for about a month is needed.
Success Rate
Success of the treatment depends on the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis and post-operative care and follow-up.Benefits of Treatments
With surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy it is possible to treat pancreatic cancer.In some cases it is also possible to eradicate the cancer depending on the condition of the patient.Pancreatic cancer treatment and surgery can have positive prognosis and patient can be helped by relieving symptoms and lead normal life after the treatment.
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