MAIN Health Diseases Cancer Pancreas

Cancer of the pancreas is one of the most common cancers in the U.S. and one of the most difficult to treat.

However, research is ongoing. Newer therapies currently under study hold promise of stopping cancer cells in their tracks - by attacking enzymes and other growth factors that pancreatic tumors need to thrive, while not harming healthy pancreas cells.

The disease forms when cancerous cells begin to form in the pancreas - the organ that normally secretes enzymes that aid in digestion and helps regulate metabolism.

Symptoms commonly appear as abdominal pain as the tumor grows and presses against surrounding organs. Sudden weight loss, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) may also occur as the tumor blocks the normal flow of bile from the liver.

Typically, pancreatic cancer spreads or mestastizes quickly. For this reason, symptoms may not appear until the disease is in advanced stages when surgery is no longer an option.

If the tumor is caught early and is deemed operable, there are several types of surgery available to pancreatic cancer patients. The most common of these is the Whipple procedure, in which part of the pancreas is removed along with surrounding organs such as the gallbladder and duodenum, or sometimes part of the stomach.

Distal pancreatectomy is a procedure in which only the tail of the pancreas is removed, primarily used to treat islet cancer cells. Total pancreatectomy, or complete removal of the pancreas, is used much less often since the risks of the procedure are often seen as far outweighing any benefit.

While the medical community continues to make strides in improved treatment, there are known risk factors that most people can avoid to help lower their chances of developing the disease. These include smoking, the greatest risk known for pancreatic cancer. Other factors include diabetes, excess weight or obesity, or a diet high in fat and low in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Elsewhere on the Web, learn more about what you can do to lower your risk along with additional facts & information on treatment, surgeries & other therapies, available clinical trials, patient support, plus the latest results from research studies in the battle against pancreatic cancer ...

More about pancreatic cancer around the Web:

Pancreatic Cancer Home Page - Brief introduction with a discussion on the research outlook plus detailed information on various therapies including vaccines, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, illustrated FAQ, more on endocrine and islet cell tumors & pancreatic cysts, pain management & palliative care, glossary of medical terms and related links, from John Hopkins University.

Pancreatica - Confronting Pancreatic Cancer - Online support for pancreatic cancer patients including the latest news in pancreatic cancer research & clinical trials, detailed FAQ covering cancer stages, symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, the Whipple procedure, support and related issues, plus survivor stories & suggested reading.

What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Pancreas - Online guide to the disease from the National Cancer Institute with information on risk factors, symptoms & diagnoses, staging, treatments and how to prepare for them, follow-up care, and links to related resources and support.

What is Cancer of the Pancreas? - Detailed guide from the American Cancer Society with causes & symptoms, types of tumors associated with the disease, overview of available treatments, key statistics, questions to ask your doctor, and facts on new therapies under study, with related resources.

ClinicalTrials.gov - Pancreatic Neoplasms - Information on clinical trials for advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer patients, with contact details and elegibility requirements.

also see -> Diabetes Causes

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.