Search results
People also ask
What type of cancer arises in the pancreas?
Who discovered pancreatic cancer?
What causes pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer arises when cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to multiply out of control and form a mass. These cancerous cells have the ability to invade other parts of the body. A number of types of pancreatic cancer are known.
- 411,600 (2015)
- 40+ years of age
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Complications
- Prevention
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind the lower part of the stomach. It makes enzymes that help digest food and hormones that help manage blood sugar. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This type begins in the cells that line the d...
Pancreatic cancer often doesn't cause symptoms until the disease is advanced. When they happen, signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include: 1. Belly pain that spreads to the sides or back. 2. Loss of appetite. 3. Weight loss. 4. Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. 5. Light-colored or floating stools. 6. Dark-...
It's not clear what causes pancreatic cancer. Doctors have found some factors that might raise the risk of this type of cancer. These include smoking and having a family history of pancreatic cancer.
Factors that might raise the risk of pancreatic cancer include: 1. Smoking. 2. Type 2 diabetes. 3. Chronic inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis. 4. Family history of DNA changes that can increase cancer risk. These include changes in the BRCA2gene, Lynch syndrome and familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. 5. Family ...
As pancreatic cancer progresses, it can cause complications such as: 1. Weight loss.People with pancreatic cancer might lose weight as the cancer uses more of the body's energy. Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments or a cancer pressing on the stomach might make it hard to eat. Sometimes the body has trouble getting nutrients from food be...
Screening for people with a high risk of pancreatic cancer
Screening uses tests to look for signs of pancreatic cancer in people who don't have symptoms. It might be an option if you have a very high risk of pancreatic cancer. Your risk might be high if you have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer or if you have an inherited DNA change that increases the risk of cancer. Pancreatic cancer screening might involve imaging tests, such as MRI and ultrasound. These tests are generally repeated every year. The goal of screening is to find pancreati...
Genetic testing for cancer risk
If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, discuss it with a health care professional. The health professional can review your family history and help you understand whether genetic testing might be right for you. Genetic testing can find DNA changes that run in families and increase the risk of cancer. If you're interested in genetic testing, you might be referred to a genetic counselor or other health care professional trained in genetics.
Ways to lower risk
You might reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer if you: 1. Stop smoking.If you smoke, talk to a member of your health care team about ways to help you stop. These might include support groups, medicines and nicotine replacement therapy. 2. Maintain a healthy weight.If you are at a healthy weight, work to maintain it. If you need to lose weight, aim for a slow, steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. To help you lose weight, exercise most days of the week. Slowly increa...
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the pancreas, an organ that helps digest food and control blood sugar. Learn about the different types of pancreatic cancer, how they are diagnosed and treated, and their outlook.
- Pancreatic cancer is aggressive and causes nonspecific symptoms. "For 50% of patients at the time of their diagnosis, we find that the cancer has spread outside the pancreas to other organs, meaning stage four metastatic pancreas cancer," says Dr. Truty.
- Diagnosing pancreatic cancer is a multi-step process. When a doctor suspects a patient might have pancreatic cancer, the first step is imaging tests to visualize the internal organs.
- The cause of most pancreatic cancers is unclear. Doctors have identified some factors that may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, including smoking, diabetes, chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), obesity, and family history, but the cause is not clear.
- There's no good way to screen for pancreatic cancer. Doctors don't yet have a good way to screen large portions of the population for pancreatic cancer.
Dec 18, 2023 · Learn about pancreatic cancer, a rare but serious condition that affects the pancreas, a crucial organ for digestion and metabolism. Find out the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, stages, treatment, and survival rate of this disease.
Mar 5, 2024 · Pancreatic cancer treatment options depend on extent of disease and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, chemoradiation, and supportive care. Learn more about the treatment of newly diagnosed and recurrent pancreatic cancer in this expert-reviewed information summary.
Pancreatic cancer — Overview covers symptoms, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy and other treatment for cancer of the pancreas. This content does not have an English version.
