Pancreatic cancer is cancer of the pancreas. It is not often detectable until its later stages because of a lack of symptoms, so unfortunately the mortality rate is high. It is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, and it’s estimated that 7 percent of the United States population will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in their lifetime. Read on to learn about what pancreatic cancer is, its risk factors, the stages of pancreatic cancer, and pancreatic cancer treatment options.
To first understand pancreatic cancer, it’s good to know what the pancreas is and what it does since it’s not the most talked about digestive organs, such as the liver or stomach. The pancreas is shaped like a fish, and it is a gland located directly behind the stomach. The pancreas creates insulin and glucagon, and in turn, this helps regulate blood sugar levels. The pancreas also aids in the digestion of food.
Pancreatic cancer begins when pancreatic cells mutate and begin to multiply rapidly. These mutations can result in tissue masses. However, some tumors are benign (not cancerous), while others become pancreatic cancer cells.
There are two distinct types of pancreatic cancer: exocrine and neuroendocrine tumors. The most common type is exocrine pancreatic cancer, which is responsible for 93 percent of all pancreatic cancer cases. The type of cancer associated with pancreatic exocrine tumors is adenocarcinoma. This usually begins in the ducts of the pancreas, however, 75 percent of pancreatic cancer is in the head of the pancreas.
Neuroendocrine tumors are associated with islet cell carcinoma. These are much less common than exocrine tumors.
Quite often, patients don’t have symptoms of pancreatic cancer until the disease has reached its later stages, which makes pancreatic cancer treatment more difficult. However, there are signs and symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer to be aware of. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
Neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer can have other symptoms due to the overproduction of certain hormones with various metabolic activities.
Some of these symptoms are also shared with other GI disorders. If you consult a gastroenterologist and have these symptoms, they will be especially concerned if you’ve recently had a new case of diabetes or have had pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.
Researchers aren’t sure what the cause of pancreatic cancer is, but they have discovered certain risk factors that can contribute to a higher risk of developing cancer. Many of these risk factors are lifestyle-related, so it’s wise to be aware of them and possibly change some habits. Lifestyle-related risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:
There are also some risk factors for pancreatic cancer that you can’t change. These include:
While men are at a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer, the symptoms in men and women are the same.
If you suspect pancreatic cancer or other GI disorders and see a physician, they will first ask for your comprehensive health history. They will be especially interested in former cases of pancreatitis or a sudden onset of diabetes. It’s difficult to diagnose early-stage pancreatic cancer because the pancreas isn’t felt in a routine exam. Imaging tests or endoscopic procedures can be used for diagnosis.
Your physician may first order imaging studies like a CT scan or MRI. If suspicion of pancreatic cancer is raised in these studies, then your physician may order an endoscopic ultrasound. Similar to a regular endoscopy, a thin, flexible tube is placed through the mouth and down through the upper GI tract while you are under light sedation. Upper GI endoscopy procedures allow the doctor to see the tract from the throat to the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). The probe at the end of this endoscope allows for imaging. Your gastroenterologist may also take tissue samples (biopsy) during the procedure.
Your physician may also order an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) particularly if the cancer is causing a blockage of the main bile duct. The ERCP is another type of upper endoscopic procedure that is used to engage and instrument the bile and pancreatic ducts. Through that procedure, a stent can be placed in the bile duct to relieve a blockage.
Blood tests may also be performed. Your provider will look for carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, which is a type of protein that is much higher in pancreatic cancer patients.
If pancreatic cancer is discovered, you and your provider will have to discuss cancer care and cancer treatment options. Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the type, location, stage, and if it’s metastatic pancreatic cancer (cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and potentially, organs).
There are several treatment options used. In late-stage cancer patients where treatment is likely not viable, then different types of treatments are used to improve quality of life and relieve symptoms. Pancreatic cancer treatment includes:
Other ways to treat pancreatic cancer include:
If you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation, you’ll want to speak to your physician about ways to ward off the uncomfortable side effects that appear with these treatments. Your physician may also use palliative care to help reduce pancreatic cancer symptoms if the case is severe. Some things you can discuss with your provider include:
Treatment is largely decided on what stage the cancer is in. There are five stages of pancreatic cancer, Stages 0 through 4.
Stage 0 marks when abnormal cells begin to form in the lining of the pancreas. This is also known as carcinoma in situ—cancer could form and begin to spread.
Stage 1 is another early stage of pancreatic cancer, where a cancerous tumor has formed in the pancreas but has not begun to spread.
In stage 2, the cancer has begun to spread to nearby lymph nodes.
In stage 3, pancreatic cancer spreads to nearby blood vessels as well. It will also continue to affect lymph nodes and spread.
Stage 4 pancreatic cancer is the most serious and most difficult for pancreatic cancer treatment. In stage 4, it has spread to more distant areas and organs in the body, such as the liver, abdominal cavity, or lungs.
If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, be sure you understand the diagnosis and stage fully. While your gastroenterologist can make treatment suggestions, making treatment decisions is a joint effort. Understanding your diagnosis can help you make a more informed decision.
After one year, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer is 20 percent. Overall, the five-year survival rate is 6 percent. Those with stage 4 pancreatic cancer have a five-year survival rate of 1 percent. Even if surgery is successful and part of the pancreas is removed, a person often only has a life expectancy of 18 to 20 months. This is why seeing your gastroenterologist is so important if you have sudden symptoms or suspect pancreatic cancer. Genetic testing can also help you determine if you have a predisposition to the disease.
