Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer symptoms are usually undetected in the early stages because the signs can be mistaken as common digestive problems. The pancreas is a digestive organ located near the stomach and the small intestine. Its primary function is to assist with the digestion of food and produce hormones in the body serving several different functions. Pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive cancer that has become a serious health issue in the United States. The American Cancer Society reports that more than 38,000 individuals are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer annually and as many as 35,000 individuals die from the illness each year. One of the main reasons why pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the nation is because it is difficult to treat early. Pancreatic cancer symptoms are generally silent and painless in the initial stages. As the cancer continues to grow, symptoms of pancreatic cancer will make it possible to detect the problem.

Adenocarcinoma pancreatic cancer is found in more than 95 percent of cases reported in the United States. This form of pancreatic cancer is found in the exocrine pancreas and has very limited systematic treatment options. The reason exocrine cancer is much more prevalent is because the cancer will grow silently until it reaches outside the pancreas. It is not until after the cancer has spread outside of the pancreas that sufferers start to notice pancreatic cancer symptoms.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer in Women and Men

pancreatic cancer symptoms

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms - Pancreas Tumor

Both men and women show similar symptoms when they are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the exocrine pancreas. The most common signs of pancreatic cancer reported may include: weight loss, jaundice, fat in the stool, abdominal pain, back pain, bloating, a feeling of fullness with meals, nausea, diarrhea, and pale-colored stools. Pancreatic cancer symptoms will start to advance as the cancer spreads from the gastrointestinal system throughout the entire body. When cancer starts to show constitutional whole-body symptoms prognosis is not good. Because the cancer is so difficult to diagnose in early stages, the American Cancer Society reports a 5-year survival rate of about 5 percent. The one-year pancreatic cancer survival rate is reported to be 20 percent if the doctor prescribes aggressive treatment.

Survival rates of pancreatic cancer do rise to 20 to 25 percent for individuals who can have the tumors completely removed. Within the last decade, advancements in pancreatic cancer treatments have made it possible to remove larger tumors. While the cancer is still deemed incurable, it is important to visit a doctor to detect the cancer as soon as possible if you are showing one or many of the pancreatic cancer symptoms.

Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate

Pancreatic cancer survival rate depends on a number of factors including stage and tumor size, but the fact remains: it is largely incurable. Based on the stage and progression of the cancer, about 16% of all patients survive the ordeal if it is diagnosed at an early stage. However, most patients do not find out until it is too late, at which stage approximately only 2 percent survive. Early diagnosis is helpful and needed for those who are facing pancreatic cancer.

Survival rates are dependent on tumor size – the larger it is, the less likely it can be cured by surgery. This is not the end of the world because, as it stands, even large tumors may be removed; many patients with tumors larger than 4-5 cm have been cured by surgery. Clinics or medical centers which specialize in pancreatic cancer treatment are more likely to be able to successfully remove larger tumors than their non-specialized counterparts.

So, what course of action can you take if you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer? It depends on the prognosis, which is affected by many factors, some of which include the type and location, the stage, its grade and the patient’s age, general health and response to pancreatic cancer treatment.

Pancreatic cancer prognosis takes into consideration all the above mentioned factors and then tries to predict what might happen. Doctors rely on years of research carried out over thousands of patients to determine the course of action they will take. However, it should be noted that prognosis is only a prediction and is not a fixed route that will definitely lead to recovery; doctors simply cannot be truly certain about the treatment they can give.

While prognosis is easier at an early stage, it can be difficult to diagnose. There is no reliable screening test and symptoms are often vague and easily confused with other diseases. There are groups of people who are at a higher risk though: people with two or more relatives who have had pancreatic cancer, those who smoke cigarettes, and those who have chronic pancreatitis; it also affects those who are over the age of 50.

Whatever the case may be, pancreatic cancer survival rate has increased over the years with improved treatment and surgery. Early diagnosis leads to a higher chance of recovery and it is advisable to seek treatment at specialized clinics or centers that have experience in the field.

Pancreatic Cancer: Causes, Stages And Life Expectancy

Pancreatic cancer is often one of the hardest types of malignancies to treat. Unlike some other forms of the disease, the signs and symptoms are often subtle, meaning that the person is usually in the latter stages when diagnosed. This is why the prognosis may often be grim, especially if the patient has been diagnosed with stage four, the final stage. In numerous scenarios the tumor(s) are found while screening for another disease or condition.

Pancreatic Cancer Causes

There are several potential causes of pancreatic cancer, including a strong familial tendency. However, some of the potential causes are related to lifestyle and behavior, such as smoking. Other factors can include having diabetes for some time, especially if it is poorly controlled. Those that suffer from certain conditions or diseases are also more likely to have this specific malignancy, many of these also being hereditary.

Pancreatic Cancer Stages

The stages vary from zero to four. Stage zero implies that the precancerous cells are actually confined to the pancreatic lining. They are not yet malignant. In the first stage the cancer is present only in the pancreas. Stage two is when the cancerous cells have spread into surrounding tissue, organs or lymph nodes. These classifications are broken up into other divisions according to location. Involvement of major blood vessels and lymph nodes is common during the third stage of pancreatic cancer. It is during the fourth stage that the disease has usually spread to various organs and lymph nodes though.

Pancreatic Cancer Life Expectancy

Life expectancy of any type of cancer is based on the staging and treatment. Those with the best prognosis are individuals who have been diagnosed early and have undergone aggressive treatment. Since most cases aren’t found early, the five-year survival rate hovers below ten percent. This is especially so for those with stage four. Once diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancers, treatment often becomes palliative.

Prevention and Early Screening

Routine screenings for this type of malignancy is usually reserved for those that have undergone successful treatment and consists of simple blood tests to check for tumor markers. Although there is not a one hundred percent method to prevent developing this disease, the risks can still be decreased. Statistics indicate that those who eat healthy, exercise on a regular basis and avoid smoking can significantly decrease these risks. Other preventative measures also include managing diabetes and seeking treatment for chronic pancreatitis.