Pancreatic Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment

 The pancreas is an important organ located in the abdomen area. It plays a vital role in converting the food into energy for the body cells. The pancreas has two major functions: the exocrine function which helps in digestion and an endocrine function that helps in the regulation of blood sugar. Both cancerous and noncancerous tumours can develop in the pancreas. Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in its early stage can help a lot in the treatment. Let us know more about this condition: 

Symptoms

Some common symptoms linked with pancreatic cancer can be:

• Fatigue
• Unintended weight loss
• Abdominal pain radiating to the back
• Yellowing of skin and the whites of eyes (jaundice)
• Loss of appetite 
• Dark-coloured urine
• Light-coloured stools
• Blood clots
• Itchy skin

Risk factors

Factors that may increase an individual’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer may include:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Old age
• Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Family history of genetic syndromes can increase the risk of cancer 
• Family history of pancreatic cancer

Treatment 

Following are the treatment options available for pancreatic cancer:

Surgery

There are majorly four types of surgeries that can be performed to treat pancreatic cancer, namely: 

• Surgery for tumours in the pancreatic head 
• Surgery for tumours in the pancreatic body and tail
• Surgery for tumours affecting nearby blood vessels
• Surgery to remove the entire pancreas (pancreatectomy)

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment that is used to kill cancer cells with certain types of drugs. These drugs can either be injected or taken orally. The patient may receive one chemotherapy drug or a combination of them depending on their condition. Chemotherapy is also often combined with radiation therapy (chemoradiation). It is typically used to treat cancer that has not spread other organs. 

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. An individual may receive radiation treatments before or after cancer surgery. These are often combined with chemotherapy when the condition cannot be treated surgically.

Proper treatment can improve the quality of life by managing symptoms and complications related to pancreatic cancer. Thus, it is important to only go for the best pancreas specialist in Delhi to get the right treatment.

Diseases of the Pancreas- Their Symptoms and Treatments

The pancreas is a large gland in the abdomen. It is a significant part of the digestive system and a critical controller of blood sugar levels. So, if any problem occurs in this gland, then the entire function of the body gets affected. Some of the common problems of pancreas are listed below:

• Acute or chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic pseudocyst
• Pancreatic tumors
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Gallbladder cancer
• Common bile duct stone
• Gallbladder stone

Symptoms that Indicate that the Pancreas is not Working Properly:

If the pancreas is not working correctly, various health problems can occur. The pancreas can become swollen, develop obstructions and can get affected by cancer. It is vital to recognize the symptoms of a pancreatic disease, so as to start the treatment as soon as possible. The common symptom that may occur is the pain in the abdomen usually in the upper portion. The pain usually develops after eating and gradually worsens over time. An individual may complain of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in case the digestive juices are no longer secreted by the pancreas.

Apart from these, some of the other symptoms that an individual may experience include unusual weight loss, general feeling of weakness, exhaustion, and malaise. The patient may also have symptoms such as loss of appetite and bloated stomach etc. It is important to consult a pancreas specialist in Delhi to ensure that these symptoms are correctly diagnosed.

How to Avoid Pancreatic Diseases ?

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and the intake of balanced diet can help in keeping the pancreatic diseases at bay. Restricting use of tobacco and alcohol may help in keeping the pancreas healthy. Moreover, taking foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can also be of great help. Avoiding excessive fat and carbohydrates and drinking fresh juices are also quite beneficial. Maintaining the blood sugar at the normal level and keeping the body weight in check can also help in keeping the pancreas healthy.

Specialists also suggest that as soon as any symptoms mentioned above are noticed, you should always get in touch with a pancreas specialist so that the treatment can be started early. Early treatment of the pancreas may include administration of medications along with a successful overall treatment of pancreatitis which requires a team approach. The problems detected at a later stage are difficult to treat and may include treatments like nerve blocks, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and other supportive care depending on the extent of the disease.

Tests that are used to Diagnose Pancreas Problems

The physician in order to diagnose pancreas problem may suggest tests such as Blood Test, Secretin Stimulation Test, CT scan with Contrast Dye, Abdominal Ultrasound, Fecal Elastase Test or Endoscopic Ultrasound.

Thus, it is important to consult an experienced pancreas specialist so that the pancreatic diseases can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. 

Diseases of the Pancreas- Their Symptoms and Treatments

The pancreas is a large gland in the abdomen. It is a significant part of the digestive system and a critical controller of blood sugar levels. So, if any problem occurs in this gland, then the entire function of the body gets affected. Some of the common problems of pancreas are listed below:

• Acute or chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic pseudocyst
• Pancreatic tumors
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Gallbladder cancer
• Common bile duct stone
• Gallbladder stone

Symptoms that indicate that the pancreas is not working properly:

If the pancreas is not working correctly, various health problems can occur. The pancreas can become swollen, develop obstructions and can get affected by cancer. It is vital to recognize the symptoms of a pancreatic disease, so as to start the treatment as soon as possible. The common symptom that may occur is the pain in the abdomen usually in the upper portion. The pain usually develops after eating and gradually worsens over time. An individual may complain of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in case the digestive juices are no longer secreted by the pancreas.

Apart from these, some of the other symptoms that an individual may experience include unusual weight loss, general feeling of weakness, exhaustion, and malaise. The patient may also have symptoms such as loss of appetite and bloated stomach etc. It is important to consult a pancreas specialist in Delhi to ensure that these symptoms are correctly diagnosed.

How to Avoid Pancreatic Diseases ?

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and the intake of balanced diet can help in keeping the pancreatic diseases at bay. Restricting use of tobacco and alcohol may help in keeping the pancreas healthy. Moreover, taking foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can also be of great help. Avoiding excessive fat and carbohydrates and drinking fresh juices are also quite beneficial. Maintaining the blood sugar at the normal level and keeping the body weight in check can also help in keeping the pancreas healthy.

Specialists also suggest that as soon as any symptoms mentioned above are noticed, you should always get in touch with a pancreas specialist so that the treatment can be started early. Early treatment of the pancreas may include administration of medications along with a successful overall treatment of pancreatitis which requires a team approach. The problems detected at a later stage are difficult to treat and may include treatments like nerve blocks, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and other supportive care depending on the extent of the disease.

Tests that are used to Diagnose Pancreas Problems

The physician in order to diagnose pancreas problem may suggest tests such as Blood Test, Secretin Stimulation Test, CT scan with Contrast Dye, Abdominal Ultrasound, Fecal Elastase Test or Endoscopic Ultrasound.

Thus, it is important to consult an experienced pancreas specialist so that the pancreatic diseases can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. 

4 Major Pancreatic Diseases and Their symptoms

The human body can work effectively only if all its body organs are working in sync and are in a healthy condition. This is why it is very important to be healthy and opt for a periodic annual checkup.

Due to the high level of environmental pollution in the country’s capital and adulteration in food, the human body is becoming more prone to diseases. Besides the Heart, Liver and Kidneys, Pancreas is another glandular organ, which is getting affected due to this pollution.

The function of Pancreas in the body 

This organ performs both endocrine and exocrine functions and is responsible for secreting hormones and enzyme respectively. Two of the most important body hormones, insulin and glucagon are secreted by it. Insulin is responsible for lowering the sugar level in blood and Glucagon acts to raise the sugar level when needed.

These two hormones are very essential for the proper functioning of the Brain, liver and kidney. As for the enzymes, the pancreatic juices are transported to the Duodenum via the pancreatic duct, which ends up in the common bile duct.

   1. Acute Pancreatitis 

Acute Pancreatitis is the sudden onset of pain in the upper abdomen, which is due to the inflammation of the pancreases. Gallstones are the one of the main reasons of this inflammation. Besides Gall Bladder Stones alcohol intake, increased lipids in blood, Hypercalcemia, Drugs, Hypertriglyceridemia, Worms in pancreatic duct etc., are the other common causes of this inflammation. It is important to treat this on time to avoid any severe situation. One should get the best pancreas specialist in Delhi for the treatment of the same.

   2. Chronic Pancreatitis 

Chronic Pancreatitis is the prolonged degradation of the pancreas. The symptoms are somewhat similar to acute pancreatitis. The most common symptoms are acute pain in the upper abdomen followed by diarrhea. Heavy alcohol consumption is one of the primary causes of the diseases.
The chronic stage leads to malnutrition and weight loss. The destruction of pancreas leads to diabetes mellitus in the patient, which is commonly known as blood sugar. The patient needs to take in insulin to regulate the blood sugar levels.

   3. Pancreatic Tumors 

There are two types of pancreatic tumors, benign and malignant. These are classified into three categories adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, and cystic neoplasm. The most common cause of these is cigarette smoking, tobacco chewing and chronic pancreatitis.  The symptoms include Jaundice, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. To keep such diseases at bay it is imperative that one avoids the intake of excessive alcohol and keep a track of his health by consulting a good Pancreas specialist in Delhi.

   4. Pancreatic Pseudocysts 

Pseudocysts are the formation of watery cysts around the pancreas. There are common in chronic pancreatitis than in Acute Pancreatitis. The common symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, Jaundice, and fever in advanced stages. These cysts are generally benign in nature and inflammatory. Different types of cysts contain different types of fluids. The Asymptomatic cysts are treatable in nature. Many of these cysts gradually decrease in size and do not require any special treatment.

A Guide about Problems Associated With Pancreas

The pancreas is a gland organ and forms a part of the digestive system. Located in the abdomen, it generates important hormones and enzymes that help in the breakdown of food particles. The two main functions of the pancreas are:

1. It helps in the digestion of food by producing powerful enzymes.
2. It releases glucagon and insulin hormones into the bloodstream that regulate glucose metabolism

Many problems are associated with the pancreas.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a disease that leads to acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas. In case, the main duct from the pancreas is choked by a tumor or gallstone, inflammation can occur. This blockage results in accumulation of pancreatic juices in the organ that may further damage the pancreas. Mumps, alcohol use, drugs, steroids and trauma are some of the other reasons for pancreatitis. There are two type of Pancreatitis – acute and chronic.

In case you are diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, the rarer of the two, you should immediately consult a Pancreas specialist in Delhi. Stomach pain, fever, nausea & vomiting, abdominal tenderness & swelling and muscle aches are some of its common symptoms. Patients are recommended a fluid diet and are restricted from ingesting any solid food. It is first treated with painkillers but in case of secondary infections, the need of surgery becomes imminent.

Chronic pancreatitis can be the result of permanent damage to the organ by acute pancreatitis. Excessive consumption of alcohol can be the prime reason for it. Some of its symptoms are weight loss, diarrhea, persistent pain in the upper abdomen and back, diabetes and mild jaundice.

Pancreatic Cancer 

You might have heard about pancreatic cancer many a times, which is fast affecting the health of many Indians. Smoking or excessive drinking is considered the main cause for this disease. Until it does not reach an advanced stage, the symptoms are hard to appear, which makes it too late for successful treatment. Some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:

1. Loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea
2. Weight loss and weakness
3. Pain in the upper abdomen
4. Jaundice 
5. Alchoholic stool and steatorrhea

Treating pancreatic cancer is a long process. Patients usually receive radiation, chemotherapy, surgery or a combination of treatments. Besides, the treatment is quite calming and focuses on reducing pain.  

As soon as you discover that you are suffering from such a disease, the very first thing is to contact your family doctor or general practitioner. They may suggest you the best pancreas specialist. Do not waste time in setting an appointment with the doctor. Let the doctor know your problem in detail, and then only he/she will be able to treat the disease properly.

Checking doctors’ credentials and experience are some of the measures that one can take before seeking treatment. If you feel comfortable and satisfied with your first meeting with the doctor, proceed with him for the treatment. Otherwise, do not hesitate to consider other options.  

Get Pancreatic Tumor Treated by the Best Pancreas Specialist in Delhi

If you suffer from pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a type of pancreatic tumor, you need to consult the best pancreas specialist. If you live in Delhi, you won’t have to go far for finding the right specialist. In Delhi, there are many specialized and multi-specialty hospitals and nursing homes where you can come across India’s best pancreas specialists.

Ganga Ram Hospital in one such hospital where you get one of the best pancreas specialists in Delhi with whom you can fix your appointment and consult him for pancreatic tumors. But you need to have some knowledge about the disease you suffer from. Doing so will prove to be a lot helpful for you in understanding and availing proper treatment.

What are Pancreatic Tumors? 

These tumors can be malignant or benign, and are categorized as adenocarcinoma, cystic neoplasm and neuroendocrine tumors. These are three different types of pancreatic tumors and each one of them can have different types of symptoms.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one most common tumor of pancreas. The risk factors associated with this type tumor are Cigarette smoking, Genetic mutations, Tobacco chewing, or Chronic pancreatitis.

The Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer are:

• Pain in upper abdomen
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

How can Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma be diagnosed? 

Patients who are suspected with adenocarcinoma need to undergo tests such as Ultrasonography abdomen and CT scan. The diagnosis of such type of pancreatic tumor is confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration.

What are the Treatments Available to Treat Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma?

The best available treatment is surgical resection. However, only 20 percent of tumors are usually resectable. For the rest, the treatment options are chemotherapy and palliation, with stent placement in common bile duct and duodenum for relief of jaundice and vomiting respectively.

You can avail these treatments with the best pancreas specialist in Delhi who have best hands over an advanced tool known as Endoscopic Ultrasonography which is used for the diagnosis of abdominal diseases like pancreatic tumors & also hold specialization in pancreatic and biliary diseases, liver diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases and advanced endoscopic procedures.