(Newswire.net — June 7, 2014) Springville, UT — 

 

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women, being responsible for 6% of all cancer-related deaths.

 

Pancreatic carcinoma is cancer of the pancreas.  It is a type of cancer that is in a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth, and pancreatic cancer occurs when this uncontrolled cell growth begins in the pancreas. Rather than developing into healthy, normal pancreas tissue, these abnormal cells continue dividing and form lumps or masses of tissue.

 

Tumors or pancreatic cysts may interfere with the main functions of the pancreas. If a tumor stays in one spot and demonstrates limited growth, it is generally considered to be benign. 

 

More dangerous tumors form when the cancer cells migrate to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph systems. When a tumor successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, it invades and destroys other healthy tissues, it the has spread to other parts of the body.  This process itself is called metastasis, and the result is a more serious condition.  

 

In the United States each year, over 30,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Europe sees more than 60,000 diagnoses each year. Because pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed late into its evolution, hence the five-year survival rate after diagnosis is less than 5%.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The pancreas is a large organ located behind the stomach. It makes and releases enzymes into the intestines that help the body absorb foods, especially fats.

 

Pancreatic Hormones called insulin and glucagon, help the body control blood high and low sugar levels, are made in special cells in the pancreas called islet cells. Tumors can also occur in these cells, but they are called islet cell tumors, where insulin comes from.

 

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. It is more common in: 

• People with diabetes
• People with long-term inflammation of the pancreas, alcohol use, diabetes, pancreatitis
• Smokers

Pancreatic cancer is slightly more common in women than in men. The risk increases with age.

 

A small number of cases are related to genetic syndromes that are passed down through families.

 

Estimated new cases and deaths from pancreatic cancer in the United States in 2013: 

• New cases: 45,220
• Deaths: 38,460

Symptoms

A tumor or cancer in the pancreas may grow without any symptoms at first. This means pancreatic cancer is often advanced when it is first found.

 

Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

 

Dark urine and clay-colored stools

• Fatigue and weakness
• Jaundice (a yellow color in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes)
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly or abdomen

Because pancreatic cancer is often advanced when it is first found, very few pancreatic tumors can be removed by surgery. The standard surgical procedure is called a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), when it is possible.

 

This surgery should be done at centers that perform the procedure often. Some studies suggest that surgery is best performed at hospitals that do more than five of these surgeries per year.

 

When the tumor has not spread out of the pancreas but cannot be removed, radiation and chemo are used.

 

When the tumor has spread (metastasized) to other organs such as the liver, chemotherapy alone is usually used. The standard chemotherapy drug is gemcitabine, but other drugs may be used. Gemcitabine can help about 25% of patients.

 

Patients whose tumor cannot be totally removed, but who have a blockage of the tubes that transport bile must have that blockage relieved. There are two approaches:

 

Surgery

Placement of a tiny metal tube (biliary stent) during ERCP

 

Managing pain and other symptoms is an important part of treating advanced pancreatic cancer. Palliative care teams and hospice can help with pain and symptom management, and provide psychological support for patients and their families during the illness.

 

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining www.cancer.im to join with those who share common experiences and problems

 

Expectations

Cancer.im provides a scial suppot network to help cancer patient to overcome cancer statistics.   Some patients with pancreatic cancer that can be surgically removed are cured. However, in more than 80% of patients the tumor has already spread and cannot be completely removed at the time of diagnosis.

 

 

Chemotherapy and radiation are often given after surgery to increase the cure rate (this is called adjuvant therapy). For pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed completely with surgery, or cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas, a cure is not possible and the average survival is usually less than 1 year. Such patients should consider enrolling in a clinical trial (a medical research study to determine the best treatment).

 

 

Ninety-five percent of the people diagnosed with this cancer will not be alive 5 years later, however cancer.im is working to overcome these statistics with the Robert Ryan Cancer Protocol. 

1. National Cancer Institute. Pancreatic Cancer Treatment PDQ. Updated August 13, 2010.
2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Version 2.2011.
3. Tempero M, Brand R. Pancreatic cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011: Chap 200.

Carcinogens are a class of substances that are directly responsible for damaging DNA, promoting or causing cancer.  Various pesticides, dyes, and chemicals used in industry, food industry (artificial sweeteners) are thought to be carcinogenic, increasing the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. When our bodies are exposed to carcinogens, free radicals are formed that steal electrons from other molecules in the body and these free radicals damage cells, affecting their ability to function normally, and the result can be cancerous growths.

 

There is an increase in the number of possible cancer-causing mutations in our DNA. This makes age an important risk factor for pancreatic cancer, especially for those over the age of 60. There are several other diseases that have been associated with an increased risk of cancer of the pancreas. These include cirrhosis or scarring of the liver, helicobacter pylori infection (infection of the stomach with the ulcer-causing bacteria H. pylori), diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and gingivitis or periodontal disease.

 

Pancreatic cancers are more likely to exist in men than in women, and among African-Americans than among whites. Smoking cigarettes increases one’s risk of pancreatic cancer by a factor of 2 or 3. Even smokeless tobacco has been noted as a risk factor.

 

Diet, toxins, and obesity have also been linked to cancers of the pancreas. People who do not exercise much and who are obese are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.  Those who eat diets low in vegetables and fruits and high in red meat and fat are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Alcohol consumption is also considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

 

Cancer symptoms are quite varied and depend on where the cancer is located, where it has spread, and how big the tumor is. Pancreatic cancer, like many other cancers, are silent or symptom free disease because of lack of symptoms, no early symptoms, and presents non-specific later symptoms. Tumors of the pancreas cancers are often too small to cause symptoms, until they become larger, when the cancer grows, then symptoms start to appear based on organ damage.  Cancers of the pancreas are also associated with Trousseau’s sign with spontaneous blood clots formed in the portal blood vessels, deep veins of the arms and legs, or other superficial veins. Clinical depression is another symptom that is sometimes reported before the cancer is discovered.

 

If the cancer spreads, or metastasizes, additional symptoms can present themselves in the newly affected area. Symptoms of metastasis ultimately depend on the location to which the cancer has spread.

 

Some studies suggest that certain vitamins can reduce the risk of cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Vitamin D has been associated with reducing the risk of several types of cancer that includes pancreatic cancer.  Some other vitamins, like the B vitamins B12, B6, and folate that can be consumed in food, have also been suggested to reduce pancreatic cancer risk.

 

A long-term study found that people who consumed in the range of 300 to 449 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily had a 43% lower risk of pancreatic cancer than those who took less than 150 IU per day.

 

 “Vitamin D May Cut Pancreatic Cancer”. Webmd.com. 2006-09-12. http://www.webmd.com/content/article/127/116673.htm.

 

Pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of 5.5%. One reason for this is the lack of a rapid, sensitive, inexpensive screening method that is specific, more specific than CA 125.   Testing for mesothelin, a biomarker for pancreatic cancer, are elevated in pancreatic cancer.   The antibody to human mesothelin can be detected to help make an earlier diagnosis.  Novel ways to screen for pancreatic cancer are needed. 

 

References

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