Procedure Description:

Pancreatic Cancer treatment:

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer may be treated with chemotherapy in addition to targeted therapy. radiation treatment and chemotherapy. operation (distal pancreatectomy, complete pancreatectomy, or Whipple procedure).

This is due to the fact that symptoms frequently appear only after the disease has progressed to other organs. Your treatment strategy is developed by your healthcare team taking into account the extent of your pancreatic cancer. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of these may be used as treatment options.

Disease Overview:

Pancreatic Cancer

One kind of cancer that starts as an increase in pancreatic cells is called pancreatic cancer. The bottom portion of the stomach is behind the pancreas. It produces hormones that aid in blood sugar regulation and enzymes that aid in food digestion.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent kind of pancreatic cancer. This kind starts in the cells that encircle the pancreatic ducts that transport digestive enzymes. Rarely is pancreatic cancer discovered in its early stages, when there is the best possibility of a cure. This is due to the fact that symptoms frequently appear only after the disease has progressed to other organs.

Your treatment strategy is developed by your healthcare team taking into account the extent of your pancreatic cancer. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of these may be used as treatment options.

Disease Sign and Symptoms:

One kind of cancer that starts as an increase in pancreatic cells is called pancreatic cancer. The bottom portion of the stomach is behind the pancreas. It produces hormones that aid in blood sugar regulation and enzymes that aid in food digestion.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent kind of pancreatic cancer. This kind starts in the cells that encircle the pancreatic ducts that transport digestive enzymes. Rarely is pancreatic cancer discovered in its early stages, when there is the best possibility of a cure. This is due to the fact that symptoms frequently appear only after the disease has progressed to other organs.

Your treatment strategy is developed by your healthcare team taking into account the extent of your pancreatic cancer. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of these may be used as treatment options.

Disease Causes:

The cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. Researchers have identified a few factors that may increase the risk of this particular malignancy. Among them are a family history of pancreatic cancer and smoking.

The following variables may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer:

1- Smoking.

2. Diabetes type 2.

3. Pancreatitis, a persistent inflammation of the pancreas.

4. A family history of DNA mutations that may raise the risk of cancer. These include Lynch syndrome, familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, and mutations in the BRCA2 gene.

5. Pancreatic cancer in the family history.

6. Being overweight.

7. Advanced years. Most pancreatic cancer patients are older than 65.

8. Abusing alcohol excessively.

Disease Diagnosis:

The following tests are used to identify pancreatic cancer:

1. Imaging tests: These procedures produce images of the interior of the body. Imaging procedures such as ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and occasionally positron emission tomography (PET) scans are used to diagnose pancreatic cancer.

2. Endoscopic ultrasonography, or EUS, is a test that creates images of the digestive system as well as surrounding tissues and organs. Sound waves are used by an ultrasound device on the endoscope to produce images of surrounding tissues. It can be applied to the creation of pancreatic images.

3. Extracting a sample of tissue for testing: The process known as a biopsy involves taking a little sample of tissue so that it may be tested in a lab. During EUS, a medical expert typically obtains the sample. The sample is sent to a lab to be tested for cancer. Certain DNA alterations found in cancer cells can be revealed by additional, specialized testing. 

4- Blood tests: Tumor markers are proteins produced by pancreatic cancer cells that may be seen in blood tests. CA19-9 is one tumor marker test utilized in pancreatic cancer.

5. Genetic testing: A sample of blood or saliva is used in genetic testing to check for inherited DNA variations that raise the risk of cancer. The results of your genetic testing may influence how you are treated. The findings may also indicate whether there is a possible family history of pancreatic cancer.

Disease Treatment:

The location and stage of pancreatic cancer determine the course of treatment. Your medical staff also takes your preferences and general health into account. When treating pancreatic cancer, the majority of patients prioritize eliminating the cancer as much as feasible. If it isn't feasible, the emphasis might be on enhancing life quality and preventing the cancer from spreading or becoming worse.

Treatments for pancreatic cancer may involve radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or a mix of these. These treatments are unlikely to be helpful after the cancer has spread. In order to keep you as comfortable as possible for as long as possible, the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms.

1. The following procedures are used to treat pancreatic cancer: surgery to treat pancreatic head malignancies. Pancreaticoduodenectomy, another name for the Whipple procedure, is an operation that involves removing the pancreatic head. 

2. Surgery to remove malignancies from the body and pancreatic tail. Distal pancreatectomy is the surgical term for the removal of the pancreatic body and tail.

3. A total pancreatectomy is a surgical procedure in which the entire pancreas is removed. Following surgery, you will be on medication for the remainder of your life to replace the hormones and enzymes produced by the pancreas.

4- Surgery for tumors affecting blood vessels nearby may require removing and reconstructing certain blood vessel segments.