Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer begins when abnormal cells within the pancreas grow out of control and form a tumor. It usually does not cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer

Exocrine Tumors

This is the most common form of pancreatic cancer and can occur anywhere along the length of the pancreas.

Endocrine Tumors

This is an uncommon type of pancreatic cancer. As a group, these tumors are sometimes known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) or islet cell tumors.

Signs & Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Most of these symptoms only occur in the advanced stage.

Yellow skin
Abdominal or back pain
Unexplained weight loss
Light colored stools
Dark urine
Loss of appetite
Jaundice
Constipation

Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Treatment options for pancreatic cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy depending on the stage of the cancer and general health.

Surgery

Whipple Procedure: It is used when the cancer is located in the head of the pancreas. It involves removing the pancreas head, a portion of the small intestine (duodenum), gallbladder, and a part of the bile duct and stomach.
Distal Pancreatectomy: This surgery is used to remove the tail of the pancreas or the body, if it is involved too. The spleen may also be removed.
Central Pancreatectomy: This surgery is used to remove the central part of the pancreas, leaving the head and tail intact.
Total Pancreatectomy: This procedure removes the entire pancreas as well as the surrounding organs like the spleen, gallbladder, duodenum, and lower part of the stomach.

Radiotherapy

It involves the use of beams of high-energy X-rays or particles (radiation) to destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA inside the tumor cells and destroying their ability to reproduce.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves killing cancer cells through drugs and rendering them incapable of reproduction. The drugs may be given in combination with other treatments.