Pancreatic Cancer
Karen R Lindner
Wright Career College
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer occurs in approximately 29000 patients every year. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths. Worldwide, pancreatic cancer is the eighth most common cause of death from cancer in both sexes combined. There have been advancements in the perioperative management, but the 5yr survival rate remains unchanged. Surgical resection is still the only potentially curative treatment for the disease.
What is Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancers can arise from both exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreas. But cancers formed by the exocrine cells are more common. It is important to know if a tumor is from the exocrine or endocrine part of the pancreas. The tumors have their own signs and symptoms and are found by using different tests , are treated in different ways and have different outlooks.
Exocrine tumors are most common and start in the gland cells. Endocrine tumors are less common and are known as islet cell tumors. Here are some: gastrinomas, insulinomas, glucagonomas, somatostatinomas, vipomas,ppomas. Most of these tumors are not cancer. The outlook for these is better than that of exocrine cancers. Approximately 75% of all pancreatic cancers occur within the head of neck of the pancreas, 15-20% occur in the body of the pancreas, and 5-10% occur in the tail. Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Early pancreatic cancers often do not cause any signs or symptoms. Some signs:
Jaundice and related symptoms: The yellowing of the eyes and skin, which is caused by the buildup of bilirubin made by the liver.
Belly or back pain: Pain in the abdomen or in the back is a common sign of advanced pancreatic cancer.
Weight loss: Losing weight without any effort over a number of months is very common.
Digestive problems: If the cancer blocks the release of pancreatic juice into the intestine, a person may have trouble digesting fatty foods, causing nausea, vomiting and worsening pain.
Swollen gallbladder: In an exam the doctor may find the gallbladder enlarged.
Blood clots: Blood clots can form in veins of the legs, causing pain and swelling. They can travel to the lungs and cause chest pain and breathing problems.
Tests to find Pancreatic Cancer If someone experiences one or more of the these signs or symptoms there are certain tests and exams that can be done by a physician.
History and physical exam when the doctor asks about your symptoms and overall health and family history, and they will focus mostly on the abdomen. Looking for swelling, and also skin color and white part of the eyes.
There are several different imaging tests, where makes pictures of the inside of the body.
Ct Scan – Computed Tomogrophy
MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ultrasound
Abdominal Ultrasound
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Cholangopancreatography
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
PET Scan
Angiography
There are also certain blood tests to help find pancreatic cancer. There are also different types of biopsies, percutaneous biopsy, endoscopic biopsy, surgical biopsy. But rarely does the doctor need to do a biopsy if the imaging shows the tumor is very likely cancer.
Treatments of Pancreatic Cancer
The main types of treatment for pancreatic cancer are, surgery, ablative techniques, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other drugs. Some treatments can be combined, pain control is also a important part of treatment.
Mortality Rate for Pancreatic Cancer
The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Of course, many of these people live much longer than
Related Documents: Pancreatic Cancer Research Paper
Breast Cancer Vaccine Did you know that breast cancer is the second most common, and fatal, cancer in America? According to the National Cancer Institute website, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, and the second largest killer of women in the United States (Common Cancer Types). Breast cancer can be defined as, “cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk)” (Breast Cancer). It is…
DISCLAIMER This paper is designed to educate you about cancer prevention by maintaining a healthy immune system. While this paper is free, the exhibits and books offered are sold at cost for convenience with the understanding that the Author and Publisher is only reporting not rendering or advocating any kind of medical opinions. Only a state licensed physician (MD, DO) graduated from an accredited medical school has this authority. The right to author and publish this paper, no matter how often…
THE IMPORTANCE OF STEM CELL RESEARCH ON DEVELOPMENT, DISEASES & ETHICAL CONSTRAINTS. Stem cells are a large focus of study in today’s biomedical world. They are cells that exist in an undifferentiated state, and transform into different tissue types depending on what the cells surrounding them are. The different types of stem cells have the ability to repair many classes of damaged human tissue. Research in human developmental biology has led to the discovery of…
Apple Inc. Individual Assignment 1 MGMT 419 Contents Executive Summary The company that I have chosen to research is Apple, Apple incorporation; an American multinational corporation was established in 1976 in California by two pioneer personalities Steven Wozniak and Steve Jobs. Both of the founders having a unique skill set and both highly interested in electronics (Researchomatic, 2012). The company’s background goes back to when Steve Jobs…
Cancer Causes Control (2009) 20:635–643 DOI 10.1007/s10552-008-9275-x ORIGINAL PAPER Cancer among Asian Indians/Pakistanis living in the United States: low incidence and generally above average survival William B. Goggins Æ Grace Wong Received: 1 August 2007 / Accepted: 19 November 2008 / Published online: 6 December 2008 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008 Abstract Background South Asian immigrants living in the United Kingdom and Canada have been found to have lower rates of cancers…
FRP 1 Running Head: Activity 36 Psy 7700 Psychopharmacology Activity 36: Final Research Paper David L. Alexander California Southern University College of Behavioral Sciences FRP 2 I decided to choose mood disorders as their appears to be a genetic pre-disposition in my family history to it. There have also been members of my wife’s family who have exhibited mood disorders. I therefore chose this class to attempt a comprehensive review of the use and impact of psychopharmacological…
1984: National Gerontological Nursing Association 1989: ANA offered Gerontological Clinical Specialist. 5 Core Elements of Gerontological Nursing Practice Evidence-based practice: Standards for nursing practice: Based on research Systematic analysis Used to guide and evaluate nursing practice ANA standards and scope Principles: Scientific data regarding theories Biological and social sciences Guides care for gerontological nursing 6 ANCC* Guidelines for the Scope…