What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Cancer of the pancreas develops from abnormal cell development in the pancreatic itself. The pancreas produces hormones that aid in glucose regulation and digestive enzymes that aid in breaking down meals.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the tumor that develops in the pancreas most frequently. This subtype originates in the pancreatic ductal cells that secrete digesting.
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is not often detected in its earliest, most curable stages. The reason behind this is because symptoms are typically not felt until the disease has progressed to other parts of the body.
How Does Pancreatic Cancer Progress?
Carcinoma of the pancreas develops from aberrant cell development that starts in the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in your pancreas acquire abnormalities (mutations) in their DNA. It can impact any region of the pancreas, including the head, neck, body, or tail.
It usually takes a long time for these malignancies to emerge because they seldom produce symptoms, precancerous alterations sometimes go undiagnosed until a full-blown malignancy has progressed.
Getting routine checkups is the only way to find out about any type of cancer in its initial stage. If you’re feeling anxious about the potential of developing pancreatic cancer, Dr. K.S. Patel, a well-known expert in the treatment of this disease in Ahmedabad, can help put your mind at ease.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer
- The cells lining the pancreatic ducts are the usual starting point for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma and pancreatic exocrine cancer are terms used to describe this particular form of cancer.
- On a rarer occasion, pancreatic cancer can develop in the neuroendocrine cells or hormone-producing cells.
Signs of Pancreatic Cancer
Because it typically does not manifest until the disease has progressed, pancreatic cancer is an especially deadly illness. In its early stages, pancreatic cancer does not manifest with any outward symptoms.
In most cases, jaundice, a yellowing of the eyes and urine, comes along with pale stool, itching, and compression of the bile ducts caused by pancreatic cancer in the head. Among the most worrisome signs are:
- Yellowish discolouration of eyes/ urine
- Pain in the back and upper or middle abdomen
- Losing weight
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
Experiencing the emotional roller coaster of learning you have pancreatic cancer symptoms might leave you yearning for professional support and understanding. During your treatment, you will receive individualized attention and reassurance from Dr. K.S. Patel, a renowned pancreatic cancer surgeon in Ahmedabad.
Factors Responsible for Pancreatic Cancer
Possible risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:
- Harmful Habits like excessive alcohol intake and smoking
- Type 2 diabetes (early onset)
- Chronic inflammation of the pancreas
- Lynch syndrome, familial atypical mole-malignant melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, a BRCA2 gene mutation, and other hereditary cancer risk factors run in families.
- A history of pancreatic cancer in his family
- Age, since the majority of cases are identified beyond 65 years of age.
Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer symptoms are often nonexistent in the early stages. Multiple diagnostic tests are typically required to detect and grade pancreatic cancer. Blood tests, diagnostic imaging, and biopsies are the main tools used to detect pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer can be diagnosed using a battery of blood tests, which may include:
- Ultrasound Abdomen
- CECT Abdomen, Pelvis, Chest
- MRCP
- Endoscopic ultrasound for biopsy of lesion
- Blood Tests
- Liver function tests
- CBC
- Tumour Markers : CA 19-9, CEA
Biopsy
Despite the availability of numerous diagnostic tools, the gold standard for pancreatic cancer detection remains a tissue sample (biopsy) that can be analyzed under a microscope. Medical gastroenterologist take biopsy from mass with endoscopic ultrasound or ERCP.
Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
Whipple Procedure
It is used for cancer in head, uncinate and neck of pancreas.
Whipple procedure includes the surgical removal of the pancreatic head, duodenum, bile duct, and, in rare cases, stomach. It is a very complex procedure and require skilled pancreatic surgeon.
When the tumor is limited and can be surgically removed, the type of pancreatic cancer treated with this procedure is called resectable pancreatic cancer.
Once these components are taken out, the other organs are rejoined in order to get the digestive system working normally again.
Dr. K.S. Patel’s highly skilled surgical team frequently carries out Whipple's surgery.
It could take patients a few weeks to recover following a Whipple procedure, and they might have to undergo further treatments like chemotherapy.
Distal Pancreatosplenectomy
Distal pancreatosplenectomy includes the removal of the pancreas and spleen. This procedure is typically carried out when cancer of the pancreas is detected in either the body or tail of the organ. The procedure's objective is to remove the tumor along with any adjacent afflicted tissue.
Additional treatments, including radiation therapy or chemotherapy, may be necessary for patients following the operation.
The surgical removal of pancreatic cancer is a challenging and potentially dangerous procedure. Possible complications include postoperative hemorrhage, blood clots, and harm to adjacent organs. Leakage can occur in rare instances due to the newly connected pancreatic and intestinal ends. Some people experience nausea and vomiting due to delayed stomach emptying.
To successfully remove the tumor during surgery for pancreatic cancer, a trained surgeon with experience in pancreatic surgery is required. Results are better when the surgeon has a lot of experience with pancreatic cancer patients, according to studies. The likelihood of a successful outcome increases if a skilled and knowledgeable gastrointestinal cancer surgeon performs this procedure.
If you are looking for a highly skilled and experienced robotic surgeon, advanced laparoscopic cancer surgeon, or pancreas cancer surgeon in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, look no further than Dr. K.S. Patel.