Pancreatic Cancer – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Pancreatic cancer begins in the pancreas, a small, fish-shaped organ located behind the stomach. This organ plays two key roles: producing digestive enzymes and releasing hormones that control blood sugar levels.
The disease usually begins in the pancreatic ducts when DNA changes lead to uncontrolled cell growth, creating tumors that may spread to other body parts if untreated.
Symptoms and Warning Signs
Pancreatic cancer typically causes no symptoms in its early stages. As the disease advances, you might notice these signs:
- Abdominal pain that spreads to the back
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Light-colored stools
- Dark urine
- Intense itching
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Unusual fatigue
- Blood clots
Diagnostic Process
Doctors use various tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer. These may include:
- Imaging tests like ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)โa tiny camera passed through the esophagus to view the pancreas up close
- Tissue biopsy, often collected during the EUS procedure
- Blood tests to check for tumor markers like CA 19-9
Once diagnosed, doctors determine the cancer’s stage (numbered one through four) to guide treatment decisions.
Treatment Options
Treatment plans depend on several factors, including overall health, cancer stage, and personal preferences. Common approaches include:
| Treatment | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | Drugs that circulate through the body to kill cancer cells |
| Radiation therapy | High-energy beams targeted directly at the tumor |
| Surgery | Physical removal of the cancer and surrounding tissue |
| Clinical trials | New treatments are being tested (ask your doctor about eligibility) |
| Palliative care | Specialized care focused on symptom relief and quality of life |
The specific combination of treatments will vary based on individual circumstances and cancer stage. Early-stage pancreatic cancer may be treated differently than advanced disease.
Coping Strategies
A pancreatic cancer diagnosis affects both patients and their loved ones. These strategies may help:
- Learn about the condition to feel more confident in treatment decisions
- Build a support network of family, friends, cancer support groups, or counselors
- Accept help from others during difficult times
- Consider hospice care for comfort and support in later stages
Pancreatic Cancer Types
The most common pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which begins in the cells lining the ducts that transport digestive enzymes from the pancreas.
Less commonly, cancer forms in the hormone-producing cells, which is called pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.
One challenge with pancreatic cancer is that it is rarely detected in early stages, when treatment might be most effective. The pancreas’s location deep in the abdomen makes early tumors difficult to detect during routine examinations.
By the time symptoms appear, the cancer has often spread beyond the pancreas to nearby structures or distant organs.
When to Talk to a Healthcare Provider
If you experience any symptoms that concern you, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Early discussion of your symptoms can lead to faster diagnosis and treatment, if needed.
What Causes Pancreatic Cancer
The pancreas is an organ about 6 inches long, shaped somewhat like a sideways pear. This important organ has two main jobs in our body:
- Hormone production – It makes hormones, like insulin, that help manage blood sugar.
- Digestive enzyme production – It creates special juices that break down food so our bodies can use the nutrients.
The pancreas sits deep in the abdomen, behind the stomach, making it difficult for doctors to feel during regular exams.
How Cancer Develops in the Pancreas
Pancreatic cancer begins when cells in the pancreas develop changes in their DNA. DNA acts like an instruction manual for cells. In healthy cells, these instructions control:
- How quickly cells grow
- When cells should divide
- When cells should die
When DNA changes occur, these instructions get mixed up. Cancer cells start multiplying too quickly and don’t die when they should.
These extra cells often form a mass called a tumor. As the tumor grows, it can damage healthy pancreatic tissue. Cancer cells may eventually break away and spread to other parts of the body.
Scientists don’t fully understand what causes the DNA changes that lead to pancreatic cancer. However, they have identified several risk factors that may increase someone’s chances of developing this disease.
Risk Factors
While having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely develop the disease, they can raise your chances compared to those without these factors.
- Smoking tobacco products
- Living with Type 2 diabetes
- History of pancreatitis (long-term pancreatic inflammation)
- Genetic factors including inherited DNA changes in the BRCA2 gene, Lynch syndrome, or FAMMM syndrome
- Having family members who have had pancreatic cancer
- Obesity
- Most cases occur in people over 65
- Heavy alcohol consumption over many years
Complications
Pancreatic cancer can lead to several complications as it progresses through the body.
Weight Loss
Many people with pancreatic cancer experience significant weight loss. This happens for several reasons:
- The cancer itself consumes energy the body needs
- Nausea and vomiting from treatments make eating difficult
- Tumors pressing on the stomach reduce appetite
- Insufficient digestive enzymes from the damaged pancreas prevent proper nutrient absorption
Jaundice
When pancreatic cancer blocks the bile duct, jaundice often develops. Signs include:
- Yellow skin and eye whites
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stools
Unlike some liver conditions, this jaundice frequently occurs without abdominal pain.
Pain
As tumors grow, they commonly press on nearby nerves, causing severe abdominal pain.
Bowel Obstruction
Pancreatic tumors can block the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, disrupting the flow of digested food. This leads to significant digestive issues.
Protecting Your Health
People with significant risk factors may benefit from pancreatic cancer screening tests. This includes individuals with strong family histories of pancreatic cancer or those carrying certain inherited genetic mutations.
Common screening methods include MRI scans and ultrasound examinations. These tests typically happen yearly for those at high risk.
The main goal is early detection when tumors are small and more treatable. However, research is still evaluating whether these screenings actually reduce death rates from pancreatic cancer.
Screening can have potential drawbacks. Sometimes tests find abnormalities requiring surgery that later turn out to be noncancerous.
DNA Testing for Risk Assessment
If pancreatic cancer runs in your family, consider discussing genetic testing with your doctor. A healthcare professional can review your family history and help determine if genetic testing would be valuable.
Genetic tests can identify inherited DNA variations that increase cancer risk. Your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor who specializes in this area if testing seems appropriate.
Risk Reduction Strategies
You can take several steps to lower your pancreatic cancer risk:
Quit Tobacco Use
- Talk to healthcare providers about effective quitting methods
- Consider support groups for encouragement
- Explore nicotine replacement products
Maintain a Healthy Weight
- If your weight is healthy, work to keep it stable
- For weight loss, aim for 1โ2 pounds weekly
- Exercise regularly, gradually increasing activity levels
- Choose a diet with at least two of these:
- Plenty of vegetables and fruits
- Whole grain foods
- Reasonable portion sizes
Regular physical activity and balanced nutrition help maintain a healthy weight and may reduce cancer risk. Even small lifestyle improvements can make a difference in your overall health.
