Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.

The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long that is shaped like a thin pear lying on its side. The wider end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow end is called the tail. The pancreas lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine.

Signs and symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult because the symptoms are so non-specific and varied. Common symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen that typically radiates to the back and is relieved by leaning forward (seen in carcinoma of the body or tail of the pancreas), loss of appetite, significant weight loss and painless jaundice related to bile duct obstruction (carcinoma of the head of the pancreas). All of these symptoms can have multiple other causes.

As the cancer grows and spreads, pain often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Cancer of the pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.

Causes of Pancreatic Cancer

Smoking

Long-term diabetes

Chronic pancreatitis

Certain hereditary disorders

Male sex - The male-to-female ratio of pancreatic cancer is 1.3:1.

Chronic pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas, usually from excessive alcohol intake or gallstones

Diabetes mellitus

Diet–Frequency of pancreatic cancer may be associated with high intakes of meat and fat.

Medical factors–Pancreatic cancer is more common in patients who have a history of cirrhosis (a chronic liver disease), chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and surgery to the upper digestive tract.

Advancing age: Most patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are between the ages of 60 and 80. The disease can occur in younger people, however -- particularly those with a family history of the disease.

Diet

A diet that contains large amounts of fat, sugar, red or processed meat may increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Your risk may also be increased if you don’t eat many fresh fruit and vegetables.

Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

It may be difficult for your GP to detect and diagnose pancreatic cancer, particularly in its early stages.

When pancreatic cancer first develops it causes very few symptoms.

Treatment Of Pancreatic Cancer

Surgery is the first choice for treating pancreatic cancer. However, for many patients surgery is not possible due to the location of the cancer or advanced stage of the disease. Chemotherapy (drugs that kill cancer cells) or radiation therapy (high-energy x-rays that kill cancer cells) may be offered after surgery or at times when surgery is not possible. A number of treatments are available to help relieve the symptoms of pancreatic cancer such as pain, jaundice, and weight loss.

Exploratory surgery is performed through an incision in the abdomen (laparotomy). This allows the surgeon to assess the extent of the disease. If the tumor can be removed, a Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy) is used, which can be very effective and results in few complications. Only five to 20% of patients have tumors that can be surgically removed.