All you need to know about treating Pancreatic Cancer

All you need to know about treating Pancreatic Cancer

The Pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen that is responsible for secreting enzymes that aid with digestion. It also helps regulate blood sugar.

The two types of Pancreatic Cancer are: exocrine or neuroendocrine. Both these cancers start in different kinds of cells and respond to different treatments. However, the majority of cancerous tumours found in the organ are Exocrine.

DIAGNOSIS

Presently, there are no general screening tools for diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer. However, imaging tests can identify tumours a biopsy of the mass can confirm cancer.

TREATMENT

When found in the early stages, Pancreatic Cancer can be treated surgically, through the whipple procedure. This involves the removal of a parts of the stomach, the small intestine, the gallbladder, the bile duct, lymph nodes and the pancreas. This coupled with radiation and chemotherapy can help a person overcome the disease.

Unfortunately, most patients with Pancreatic Cancer have an inoperable tumour. This is because during the early stages, when the tumour would be most treatable, there are usually no indicative symptoms. It is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. Due to this, Pancreatic Cancer has a high mortality rate.

As people age, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer goes up.