Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer begins when gene mutations cause cells in the pancreas to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. It is difficult to detect at an early stage, resulting in a low survival rate, and is also resistant to many common cancer drugs, making it especially tough to treat.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer
There are two main types of pancreatic tumors
Exocrine tumors:
More than 90% of pancreatic tumors are exocrine tumors. Adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent type of pancreatic cancer, which initiates in the cells that line organs.
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs):
Less than 10% of pancreatic tumors are NETs. Islet cell carcinoma is also referred to as NET.
How common is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is the 10th leading cancer in men and the 8th most common cancer in women. Globally, it ranks 11th in occurrence and 7th as a cause of death from cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors
Pancreatic cancer risk factors include
- Smoking cigarettes, cigars, and using other forms of tobacco.
- Obesity (mainly extra weight around the waist)
- Sudden onset of Diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes.
- Contact with pesticides and petrochemicals.
- Chronic pancreatitis (a permanent inflammation in the pancreas).
- Inherited chronic pancreatitis and syndromes
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Symptoms usually appear when the tumor begins to affect nearby organs in the digestive system. These may include:
- Jaundice (skin yellowing).
- Dark urine (pee) or pale stool (poop).
- Abdominal pain in the upper part.
- Back pain in the middle.
- Weight loss.
- New-onset diabetes mellitus within 2 years
Symptoms of pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer may vary from traditional pancreatic cancer but may include diarrhea and anemia.