What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells that begins in the tissues of the pancreas. It often spreads rapidly.
Symptoms
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer depend on which part of the pancreas the cancer arises from. Tumors in the head of the pancreas produce symptoms earlier (such as jaundice, vomiting, or bleeding). Tumors in the body or tail of the pancreas may not show symptoms until they become quite large. Patients may also experience general symptoms like tiredness, loss of appetite, or weight loss.
Other symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain that may radiate to the back
- Loss of appetite or unintended weight loss
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Dark-colored urine and light-colored stool
- Itchy skin
- Blood clots
- Fatigue
Treatment options
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Periampullary Cancer
The ampulla of Vater is a conical structure at the junction of the bile duct and pancreatic duct, near the start of the small intestine. When cancer develops in this area, it is called periampullary cancer.
Signs and symptoms of periampullary cancer
- Jaundice
- Itching
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Recurrent vomiting
- Black stools
- Anaemia
Diagnosis
- Biopsy
- Endoscopic ultrasound
Treatment
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Pancreatic Endocrine Cancer
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), also known as islet cell tumors, start in hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. These cells produce hormones such as insulin. The type of NET depends on the specific hormone-producing cell affected. For example, insulin-producing tumors are called insulinomas, and glucagon-producing ones are glucagonomas.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary based on the hormone involved. Tumors that continue to produce hormones are called functional NETs. Too much insulin can cause low blood sugar and rapid heart rate. Too much glucagon can cause diarrhea, skin rashes, and high blood sugar.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and stage of the NET.
- Medication
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Surgery
Diagnosis
- Blood tests
- Abdominal CT scan
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- MRI
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- PET (positron emission tomography)
- Angiogram
- Laparotomy
- Biopsy
- Bone scan
