How Common is Pancreatic Cancer?
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According to the National Cancer Institute, upwards of 45,000 new cases of pancreatic cancers are reported in the United States each year, and almost 40,000 patients die from it. Pancreatic cancer accounts for less than 3% of new cancer diagnoses each year, but it is the 4th most frequent cause of cancer death for both men and women. Compared to other cancers, the survival rate of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is very low with a 5-year survival rate of about 5 percent. This is mostly due to the lack of preventative diagnostic tools available for this type of cancer. Unlike prostate or breast cancer, there is no annual test or biomarker that can be measured.
What is pancreatic cancer?
Cancer that begins in the pancreas, is known as pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is a digestive organ located behind the stomach, surrounded by the liver, small intestine, and spleen. This organ secretes enzymes to break down different molecules in the food we ingest and aids in digestion. Pancreatic juices are released into the upper part of the small intestine which help the body to digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins. As an endocrine gland, the pancreas secretes two hormones, insulin and glucagon, to regulate blood sugar levels during the course of the day. Insulin acts to lower blood sugar, while glucagon acts to raise blood sugar. Maintaining proper blood sugar levels is vital to the body – namely to our brain, liver and kidneys, so they can work appropriately.
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is still unknown, but risk factors like smoking, family history and chronic pancreatitis increase the risk of developing it. Signs of pancreatic cancer usually do not present themselves until the disease is advanced, making it very difficult to diagnose. Some symptoms include:
· Upper abdominal pain
· Yellowing of skin and whites of eyes
· Loss of appetite
· Weight loss
· Depression
· Blood clots
If your doctor suspects pancreatic cancer, you may have an imaging test like CT or MRI to diagnose the cancer, or a tissue biopsy of the pancreas.
How is pancreatic cancer treated?
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers because it is difficult to diagnose, responds poorly to treatment, and spreads quickly to surrounding organs like the stomach and small intestines. Treatment of pancreatic cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the size of the tumor, surgery may remove just a cancerous mass from the pancreas or part of the pancreas itself.