Know and avoid pancreatic cancer
This disease begins with the accelerated growth of the body’s cells, in the case of pancreatic cancer this happens in this organ generating some type of tumor that is classified in different ways.
This organ is located behind the stomach, in the lower part and is responsible for producing the enzymes necessary for the digestion process and also secretes hormones important for glucose regulation.
An uncontrolled cell production can generate benign or malignant tumors (cancer) in the pancreas, to identify it is necessary a professional examination by means of biopsy.
Types of pancreatic cancer:
This disease can be classified into several types depending on the location of the cells’ development.
Each of these characteristics represents a different level of risk for the patient and a less or more effective treatment will depend on the type of cancer, as well as the stage with which it has been diagnosed.
- Pancreatic adenocarcinoma:
95% of cancer cases can be attributed to this type, which is of the exocrine class.
The exocrine system of the pancreas comprises most of its functionality, these are glands and ducts that produce enzymes and release them into the digestive system.
This pathology begins to form in the exocrine ducts and on some other occasions in the cells that produce enzymes that are less common conditions and that result in carcinomas with other characteristics such as: adenosquamous carcinoma, signet ring cell carcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas with giant cells and acinar cell carcinoma.
- Ampullary cancer:
It is formed in the ampulla of Vater, which is the bile duct and from the early stages it prevents the transfer of bile, which produces an increase in bilirubin and the patient takes on a yellowish color.
Thanks to these symptoms, this type of disease can be detected in the early stages, unlike the other cases.
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors:
They begin to grow in the endocrine cells of this organ, these cells have less intervention in the organ but they are the ones that produce hormones that help level blood sugar levels.
- Benign tumors:
Although they do not start as cancer, they can develop if not treated in time, they are called neoplasms and also have different characteristics that determine their treatment.
What are the symptoms of this pathology?
We cannot specify the symptoms of this disease, since in early stages it goes almost unnoticed.
However, we can share other conditions that may be useful for the doctor to detect or not the presence of tumors in this area, that is, these symptoms may be due to other complications or this pathology.
The important thing is to stay vigilant to prevent it.
- Jaundice presents with yellowing of the eyes and skin and is due to an increase in bilirubin that may be caused by a type of pancreatic cancer.
- Lack of appetite and weight loss: It may be due to an unevenness of digestive enzymes.
- Abdominal and back pain may be a reason to request imaging exams of the area depending on the person's age and background.
- Diabetes, may be due to failure to produce hormones that regulate blood sugar.
- Nausea and vomiting may arise from blockage to the stomach by the tumor.
Unfortunately, this disease has no particular symptoms, which means that it is not detected at the beginning but, in most cases, when it has spread to other organs.
Keeping an eye on the health of your pancreatic organ can be a good way to prevent this disease, especially if you have a family history.
Recommendations to avoid this disease:
- A healthy diet and body weight control:
Food can help maintain health or make it worse.
Avoiding or reducing the consumption of foods high in sugars and red meat can be an ideal tool to avoid this pathology.
Maintaining weight through physical activity also helps to regulate the functioning of this organ in a certain way.
- A healthy diet and body weight control:
Both substances are closely related to the risk of suffering from this type of malignant tumor.
Many patients suffering from this disease had unhealthy habits that include tobacco and alcohol.
Treatment
Under the consideration of the medical oncologist, the patient’s history and the stage of the cancer, the most effective treatment option will be recommended, which may be surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Trust your doctor’s discretion to recommend the most appropriate anti-disease procedure and lifestyle changes for you.
