Pancreatic cancer is a disease that affects the tissue of the pancreas, which is the body-shaped fish found in behind the lower part of the stomach that is responsible for manufacturing and secretion of hormones and enzymes important to digestion. Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages.
Types of pancreatic cancer
The pancreas itself is about six inches long and two inches wide. It has two types of glands known as exocrine and endocrine glands. Exocrine gland produces a variety of enzymes that are capable of breaking down proteins and fats in the body. Pancreatic endocrine cells produce hormones like insulin, which decreases the rate of glucose (simple sugar) in blood. Both are subject to pancreatic cancer, but the disease is more prevalent in exocrine pancreatic cells. Cancer that develops in the ducts of the organ is called adenocarcinoma, while cancer of the endocrine pancreas - cancer of the endocrine system - is extremely rare.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, the signs of pancreatic cancer usually does not occur until the disease is advanced. The location of the pancreas can not find the tumors. Among the warning signs of pancreatic cancer found jaundice. This is a yellowing of the skin and eyes of a person, but jaundice can be caused by other conditions such as liver disease. Pain in the upper abdomen that makes its way in the back is a symptom of pancreatic cancer - such as weight loss and fatigue with a lack of appetite. Problems with the digestive process can lead to nausea and vomiting. The gallbladder may swell, and some people with pancreatic cancer may develop diabetes.
People at risk
There are certain factors that increase the chances of contracting cancer of the pancreas. Although the disease affects men and women at the same pace, it occurs more often among blacks than among white subjects. "The American Cancer Society puts the chances of getting cancer of the pancreas to 1 / 76, obese people and those with a family history of the disease more than others. Smokers also tend to develop this type of cancer, and the elderly are more at risk than young people, with most cases occurring among persons aged over 70 years.
Salaries
Surgery is an option for treating pancreatic cancer. However, once the disease has made its way to other organs or lymph system, it is usually not possible. The removal of tumors of the pancreas requires taking large portions of the pancreas along with the diseased parts. Radiation therapy uses powerful x-rays to kill cancer cells and chemotherapy that uses the same drugs are often together to try to deal pancreatic cancer. Targeted therapy uses drugs designed specifically to prevent cancer cells from reproducing is also a possible treatment. However, prospects for a normal person with pancreatic cancer are very low.
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