PANCREATIC CANCER

No one knows the exact causes of pancreatic cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets pancreatic cancer and another does not. However, it is clear that this disease is not contagious. No one can "catch" cancer from another person. Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop pancreatic cancer.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer develops when malignant cells form in the tissues of your pancreas - a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes and hormones.  The enzymes aid digestion and the hormones help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates.

What are the Risk Factors of Pancreatic Cancer?

Studies have found the following risk factors:

• Age -- The likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most pancreatic cancers occur in people over the age of 60.
• Smoking -- Cigarette smokers are two or three times more likely than nonsmokers to develop pancreatic cancer.
• Diabetes -- Pancreatic cancer occurs more often in people who have diabetes than in people who do not.
• Being male -- More men than women are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Being African American -- African Americans are more likely than Asians, Hispanics, or whites to get pancreatic cancer.
• Family history -- The risk for developing pancreatic cancer triples if a person's mother, father, sister, or brother had the disease. Also, a family history of colon or ovarian cancer increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.
• Chronic pancreatitis -- Chronic pancreatitis is a painful condition of the pancreas. Some evidence suggests that chronic pancreatitis may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Other studies suggest that exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace or a diet high in fat may increase the chance of getting pancreatic cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a "silent disease" because early pancreatic cancer often does not cause symptoms. As the cancer grows, symptoms may include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen or upper back
• Yellow skin and eyes, and dark urine from jaundice
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss

How is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?

If a patient has symptoms that suggest pancreatic cancer, the doctor asks about the patient's medical history. The doctor may perform a number of procedures, including physical exam, lab tests, CAT scan, ultrasonography, and/or biopsy.

When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the doctor needs to know the stage, or extent, of the disease to plan the best treatment. The doctor may determine the stage of pancreatic cancer at the time of diagnosis, or the patient may need to have more tests. Such tests may include blood tests, a CT scan, ultrasonography, laparoscopy, or angiography. The test results will help the doctor decide which treatment is appropriate.

What is the Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer?

Cancer of the pancreas is very hard to control with current treatments. For that reason, many doctors encourage patients with this disease to consider taking part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are an important option for people with all stages of pancreatic cancer.

At this time, pancreatic cancer can be cured only when it is found at an early stage, before it has spread. However, other treatments may be able to control the disease and help patients live longer and feel better. When a cure or control of the disease is not possible, some patients and their doctors choose palliative therapy. Palliative therapy aims to improve quality of life by controlling pain and other problems caused by this disease.

The doctor may refer patients to an oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer, or patients may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat pancreatic cancer include surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Treatment generally begins within a few weeks after the diagnosis. There will be time for patients to talk with the doctor about treatment choices, get a second opinion, and learn more about the disease.

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