Pancreatic cancer – what are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer

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Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers. For some people, a daily drink is enough to increase the risk of its occurrence. Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live an average of six months. Only 6 percent. the sick survives for five years.

1. Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer most often present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, jaundice.
2. – The sooner this cancer is diagnosed, the more chances the patient has to undergo surgery. The stage of disease advancement is the criterion that determines the possibility of surgical removal of the tumor. Unfortunately, only 10-20 percent. pancreatic cancer cases qualify for radical removal at the time of diagnosis – says prof. Jerzy Walecki
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Pancreatic cancer is asymptomatic and very difficult to diagnose. In addition, the tumor does not respond well to treatment. In the case of other oncological diseases, we note great progress in treatment and some of them have almost become chronic diseases. New pancreatic cancer drugs extend patients’ lives by just a few months. The high mortality rate of patients with pancreatic cancer is mainly due to the fact that the disease is usually detected in a very advanced stage, when the tumor has already metastasized and the tumor is inoperable.

Pancreatic cancer – epidemiology

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh most common malignant tumor in Europe. Worldwide, pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in approximately 450 people annually. people, slightly more often in men. The highest risk of disease is recorded in developed countries: USA, Europe (mainly central and northern), Australia. In these places the risk of getting sick is even 3-4 times higher than in other regions of the worlds. It is mainly influenced by lifestyle – lack of physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, poor diet.

Pancreatic cancer – symptoms

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer most often present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, and jaundice.

Prof. Piotr Wysocki, head of the Oncology Clinic of the Oncology Center in Warsaw, tells about his doctor friends who died of pancreatic cancer. – A colleague of the orthopedist complained of back pain after skiing. He used physical therapy and other spine treatment methods. Unfortunately, the pain turned out to be the result of pancreatic cancer. A gynecologist friend who had been slimming for years and was unable to lose weight, at some point began to lose unnecessary kilograms. She was glad that she had finally found the right diet. However, when jaundice did develop, tests showed that there was an advanced tumor in the pancreas. Despite the fact that we treated them with everything available, they died within a year – says prof. Wysocki.

Pancreatic cancer – diagnosis

– The sooner this cancer is diagnosed, the more chances the patient has to undergo surgery. The stage of disease advancement is the criterion that determines the possibility of surgical removal of the tumor. Unfortunately, only 10-20 percent. pancreatic cancer cases qualify for radical removal at the time of diagnosis – says prof. Jerzy Walecki, national consultant in the field of radiology and diagnostic imaging, head of the Department of Radiology at CMKP in Warsaw. If pancreatic cancer is suspected, the patient is referred for a computed tomography examination of the abdominal cavity, which allows to determine the location of the tumor. In case of doubt, more detailed EUS tests are performed, which allow the detection of tumors as small as 3 mm in diameter.

If you want to take care of your pancreas, undergo preventive examinations. At Medonet Market you will find Pancreatic Tests – a blood test package in which you can determine the level of amylase, lipase, and also CA 19-9. As part of the package, you can donate a blood sample at one of over 500 facilities in Poland or at your own home.

Pancreatic cancer – treatment

The treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer is the biggest problem because half of the patients are metastatic at diagnosis. Such patients would live without treatment for 2-3 months, and those treated die after 6. The first breakthrough in the treatment of pancreatic cancer occurred at the end of the 1,5th century. Gemcitabine, introduced at that time, improved the average survival of patients by less than 10 months. Then there was a new, expensive and highly toxic therapy that improved survival by an average of about 8,5 days. The three-drug combination therapy was then started. Few patients, however, were able to administer such aggressive therapy. Last year, the results of studies on the use of Gemcitabine with a new drug were published. The average survival time increased from 11 to XNUMX months.

Pancreatic cancer prophylaxis

– Pancreatic cancer risk factors are mainly: smoking, obesity, high consumption of processed red meat, but also some genetic diseases, such as hereditary pancreatitis, family melanoma, hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer, or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome – lists Dr. Janusz Meder, president of the Polish Union of Oncology.

Prof. Lucjan Wyrwicz from the Department of Oncological Gastroenterology at the Warsaw Cancer Center adds that alcohol is also a risk factor. The problem concerns people who drink little but regularly, especially high-alcohol drinks. “One drink a day can be a serious challenge to the pancreas,” he says. – Especially if someone suffers from chronic inflammation of it. In this case, we recommend complete abstinence – he adds.

Prophylactically in pancreatic diseases, it is worth drinking an infusion prepared on the basis of Pancreas – a mixture of herbs, which you can buy at a promotional price on Medonet Market.

This may interest you:

1. The six things that harm your pancreas the most
2. Why do young people get sick and die of pancreatic cancer?
3. Habits that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer