Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer
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Pancreatic Cancer
Your pancreas, a gland in your belly that assists in digesting, is impacted by pancreatic cancer. Nausea, bloating, lethargy, jaundice, and loss of appetite are among the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are all forms of treatment. Since pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose in its early stages, survival chances are poor. Pancreatic cancer is a serious disease that starts in the pancreas, an organ behind your stomach. The pancreas has two main jobs: making enzymes that help digest food and producing hormones, including insulin, to regulate blood sugar. When cancer develops in the pancreas, it can interfere with these functions and have significant health consequences.
Causes of Pancreatic Cancer
- Smoking: Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of pancreatic cancer. People who smoke are at a higher risk.
- Age: Pancreatic cancer is more common in older adults, with the risk increasing as you get older.
- Family History: If someone in your family has had pancreatic cancer, your risk may be higher.
- Inherited Gene Mutations: Some gene mutations increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Chronic Pancreatitis*: Long-term inflammation of the pancreas can raise the risk.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Clay colored stools
Itching
Jaundice
Treatments of Pancreatic Cancer
- Surgery: If the cancer is in an early stage and hasn’t spread, surgery to remove the tumour is an option.
- Radiation Therapy: High-energy X-rays target and destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Medications that circulate through your body to kill cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: drugs that target specific molecules involved in cancer growth.
- Immunotherapy stimulates your immune system to fight the cancer.
- Palliative Care: Focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life, even if a cure isn’t possible.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar (glucose).
Pancreatitis can occur as acute pancreatitis — meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days. Some people develop chronic pancreatitis, which is pancreatitis that occurs over many years.
Weight loss
Lack of appetite.
Blood iGas or bloating.
Blood clots.
It’s important to catch pancreatic cancer early for better treatment outcomes. If you notice persistent symptoms or have risk factors, talk to a doctor. They can perform tests like CT scans or biopsies to diagnose the disease. Remember, while pancreatic cancer is a serious challenge, advancements in medical science offer hope, and many people do successfully battle this condition with the right treatment and support.