Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ that lies horizontally behind the lower abdomen. Pancreatic cancer is more common in men aged between 35 and 70, it is the fourth leading cause of cancer death (after lung cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer). Pancreatic cancer is usually an adenocarcinoma and it usually occurs in pancreatic cells that make up the bulk of the pancreas.

Cause pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is caused by damage to genes, but we do not know exactly why this happens damage. Evidence, it is to carcinogens such as cigarettes, are foods high in fat and protein and additives. Possible risk factors are chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and chronic alcohol abuse.

There is some evidence that people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables are at higher risk for pancreatic cancer. Obesity can be a slightly increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Some industrial chemicals called chlorinated hydrocarbons to be related to pancreatic cancer in which, although they are probably an important factor. Other chemicals and exposures to increased risk of pancreatic cancer in some studies have linked are pesticides, radiation, nickel, chromium and iron.

The average age of onset of pancreatic cancer is used between 70 to 80, present but heavy smokers and heavy drinkers with pancreatic cancer an average of seven to 10 years than the rest of the population.

Signs and symptoms of cancer />
The most common are weight loss, abdominal pain or back pain, jaundice and diarrhea.
Other general effects include fever, skin rashes, depression, anxiety and anticipation of impending death. Ascites (fluid in the abdomen) may be a sign of pancreatic tumors.

diagnosis
It is very difficult to diagnose pancreatic cancer as the pancreas is so deep in the body and the symptoms depend on the exact location of the tumor cells in the pancreas or the function of pancreatic function is affected by the tumor or cancer. Unfortunately, symptoms of pancreatic cancer are vague and nonspecific and can often also by many other conditions and caused less severe.

Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is seldom at an early stage, which is a major reason why he is a leading cause of cancer death is detected. Pancreatic cancer specialists believe that anyone over 50, diabetes, and unexplained weight loss should be investigated for other diseases of the pancreas developed. Courvoisier sign defines the presence of jaundice and painlessly distended gallbladder as strongly indicative of pancreatic cancer and can be used to distinguish pancreatic cancer from gallstones.

treatment
Treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on the stage and location of the tumor as well as your age, general health and personal preferences. The first goal of the treatment of pancreatic cancer is the cancer if possible to remove. If this is not an option, the growing emphasis on prevention of pancreatic cancer or even more harm to be placed. Pancreatic cancer is relatively resistant to medical treatment and the only potentially curative treatment is surgery. Radiotherapy for cancer of the pancreas can relieve pain but do not affect patient survival.

Gemcitabine was approved by the FDA in the United States in 1998 after a clinical trial reported improvements in quality of life in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Management of pain and other symptoms is an important part of the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

Forecast
Pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis, even if early diagnosis and the median survival time from diagnosis to death is probably the worst of all cancers. The best predictors of long-term survival after surgery, a tumor diameter of less than 3 cm, without lymph node involvement, negative resection margins, and diploid DNA content of tumors.

are limited due to difficulties in diagnosis, the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer and systemic treatments, the survival rate after five years in patients with pancreatic cancer, only about 5%. For pancreatic cancer that are not completely removed by surgery, or cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas, cure is not possible and the average survival is usually less than 1 year.


Treatment of pancreatic cancer