Pancreatic cancer is a type of malignant tumor that normally shows no symptoms beforehand, meaning that when discovered, it can already spread so the chances of recovery are very low.
The life expectancy of a person with pancreatic cancer can be significantly reduced, ranging from 6 months to 5 years, even when the treatment indicated by the doctor is performed. Treatment can be done by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or surgery, and the choice depends on tumor staging:
- Other factors to consider are the exact location of the tumor.
- Whether blood vessels or other organs are also affected.
Initially, pancreatic cancer can cause mild discomfort after meals, such as poor digestion and mild abdominal pain, in the stomach area. Symptoms of more advanced pancreatic cancer are often the most attention-attracting, which may include:
At the beginning of its development, pancreatic cancer does not hurt and therefore the person does not see a doctor, the pain usually occurs when the cancer is more advanced and may be mild to moderate in the stomach area, radiating backwards. Pancreatic cancer begins to develop symptoms, these are usually related to the involvement of other structures such as the liver and other tissues of the digestive system, in which case the pain is stronger and can affect the lower ribs.
If pancreatic adenocarcinoma is suspected, the most effective tests to confirm the diagnosis are CT, MRI and ultrasound, as well as a pancreatic biopsy.
When discovered early in its development, pancreatic cancer can be cured, but finding it early is difficult, especially because of the location of this organ and the absence of characteristic symptoms. The best treatment option is surgery to remove the tumor, which can cure it. Cancer.
As a form of treatment for pancreatic cancer radio and chemotherapy are used, some cases may benefit from the removal of the diseased part of the pancreas and surgically affected tissues, its treatment is prolonged and new complications may occur, such as metastasis in other areas of the body.
This cancer is most common in people age 60 to 70 and is rarely found in young adults. Factors that increase a person’s risk of developing cancer include diabetes or glucose intolerance and being a smoker.
Excessive consumption of high-fat foods, red meats, alcoholic beverages, pancreatitis and working in places where you have been exposed to chemicals such as solvents or oil for more than a year also increases your risk of pancreatitis.