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Pancreatic cancer is a malignant neoplasm that is resistant to treatment and causes non-specific symptoms. It is most often detected in the advanced stage of the disease, when only palliative treatment is possible. This cancer affects men more than women.
Pancreatic cancer symptoms
Pancreatic cancer it does not show any characteristic symptoms, but there are some alarm signals that may indicate the appearance of this disease. These are primarily jaundice (it occurs in almost 90% of patients with pancreatic cancer), a sharp decrease in weight and pains that worsen, for example, when lying on your back, but are milder when you sit down. In addition, other non-specific symptoms include constipation, fever, nausea, anemia, vomiting, fatty diarrhea, and acute pancreatitis. Sometimes there is a tumor in the epigastric region, but this is very rare.
Treatment of pancreatic cancer
Currently the only option cure pancreatic cancer there is a need to remove it, provided that it is diagnosed early enough. This procedure carries the risk of complications because the pancreas is located in the vicinity of many vital organs, incl. liver, aorta, main intestinal artery. During the operation, part of the pancreas, duodenum, stomach and gallbladder are removed. Sometimes surgical treatment is supplemented with radio- and chemotherapy.
In most cases it is too late for surgery. We are talking about patients who have been diagnosed with metastasis or tumor infiltration into neighboring organs. Then it applies palliative treatmentwhose aim is to extend the patient’s life, relieve pain and provide the greatest possible comfort. Holepalliative treatment These include chemotherapy, destruction of the visceral plexus nerves to minimize pain, treatment of jaundice and pancreatic insufficiency, and the preparation of an appropriate diet to relieve the diseased organ. The patient takes five small, easily digestible, protein-rich meals that are devoid of animal fats and dietary fiber. It is also advisable to drink plenty of fluids and pancreatic enzymes.
Factors contributing to the emergence of pancreatic cancer
The strongest factor increasing the risk of developing pancreatic cancer is smoking a cigarette. Smokers develop this disease almost 2-3 times more often than non-smokers. Another contributing factor is overweight and obesity. The disease is also influenced by excessive consumption of carbohydrates, meat and saturated fatty acids, chronic pancreatitis, long-term diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, low physical activity, and gastric acid acidity. This disease most often affects people in the 7th and 8th decade of life. Moreover, on pancreatic cancer may have an effect genetic predispositions.
Pancreatic cancer prophylaxis
The risk of collapsing on pancreatic cancer can be minimized by using the appropriate one prophylaxis. The most important thing is to quit cigarettes as there are many carcinogens in cigarette smoke. It is also very important to change your eating habits and lifestyle. You should limit alcohol consumption and avoid heavy, fatty foods. Animal fats should be replaced by those of plant origin in the menu. It is also worth enriching meals with fruits, vegetables, bran, nuts and take care of daily physical activity. In addition, people who are particularly at risk of developing cancer due to genetic predispositionsare eligible for imaging tests (ultrasound, tomography, magnetic resonance imaging). You should also be screened for diabetes as incorrect treatment may result in a greater risk of developing diabetes pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer – prognosis
Due to the fact that cancer detection usually takes place in the last stage of its development, prognosis they’re wrong. Surgical treatment is then impossible and palliative treatment is used to relieve pain and ensure the greatest possible comfort of life. The average survival time is then 3-6 months. On removal pancreatic cancer only people who have been diagnosed with neoplastic changes early, i.e. only 10-20 percent of patients, have a chance. The survival rate is usually 12-18 months. Within a dozen or so months after the surgery, the neoplastic process often resumes. Complete remissions are rare, and 5-year survival affects only 15-20 percent of patients after pancreatic removal.