PANCREATIC CANCER
(Exocrine, Islet Cell)

The American Cancer Society estimates 37,170 new cases of cancer of the pancreas will be diagnosed in the US in 2007.   

PANCREATIC CANCER (EXOCRINE)

Screening for cancer involves examining people for early stages in the development of the disease even though there are no apparent symptoms.

Some people may be at higher risk for developing certain types of cancer because of family history, environmental exposure, lifestyle or other factors. In such cases, a physician may recommend tests diagnostic tests to check for cancer. Most cancers are treatable if caught at the earliest stages of their development.

Cancer of the pancreas is hard to find (diagnose) because the organ is hidden behind other organs. The signs of pancreatic cancer are like many other illnesses, and there may be no signs in the first stages. However, a doctor should be seen if there are any of the following symptoms: nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss without trying to lose weight, pain in the upper or middle of the abdomen, or yellowing of the skin (jaundice).

If there are symptoms, a doctor may order an ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to find tumors. A CT (computed tomographic) scan, a special type of x-ray that uses a computer to make a picture of the inside of the abdomen, may also be done. Another special scan called an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which uses magnetic waves to make a picture of the inside of the abdomen, may be done as well if there are questions as to whether the blood supply to unaffected organs has been partially blocked by the cancer.

A test called an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) may also be done. During this test, a flexible tube is put down the throat, through the stomach, and into the small intestine. The doctor can see through the tube and inject dye into the drainage tube (duct) of the pancreas so that the area can be seen more clearly on an x-ray.

During ERCP, the doctor may also put a fine needle or a brush like a pipe cleaner into the pancreas to take out some cells. This is called a biopsy. The cells can then be looked at under a microscope to see if they contain cancer. More important, if there is jaundice, a catheter or fine tube may be inserted into the bile duct through the pancreas duct to relieve the jaundice.

PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography) is another test that can help find cancer of the pancreas. During this test, a thin needle is put into the liver through the right side. Dye is injected into the bile ducts in the liver so that blockages can be seen on x-rays. To relieve jaundice, a fine tube is sometimes left in the right side of the liver to drain it. In some cases, a needle can be inserted into the pancreas during an x-ray or ultrasound so that cells can be taken out to see if they contain cancer.

Surgery may be needed to see if there is cancer of the pancreas. If this is the case, the doctor will cut into the abdomen and look at the pancreas and the tissues around it for cancer. If cancer is found and it looks like it has not spread to other tissues, the doctor may remove the cancer or relieve blockages caused by the tumor.

PANCREATIC ISLET CELL TUMORS

Screening for cancer involves examining people for early stages in the development of the disease even though there are no apparent symptoms.

Some people may be at higher risk for developing certain types of cancer because of family history, environmental exposure, lifestyle or other factors. In such cases, a physician may recommend tests diagnostic tests to check for cancer. Most cancers are treatable if caught at the earliest stages of their development.

A doctor should be seen if there is pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, stomach pain, a tired feeling all the time, fainting, or weight gain without eating too much.

If there are symptoms, the doctor will order blood and urine tests to see whether the amounts of hormones in the body are normal. Other tests, including x-rays and special scans, may also be done.

AUTHOR: Richard Zmuda
Reviewed by Dan McCrone, MD
cancerpage.com