Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer impacts the digestive system and starts when cells in the pancreas grow without the normal controls. These cancers are typically divided into two subtypes:
- Exocrine tumors are by far the most common type of pancreatic cancer and about 95% of them are adenocarcinomas. These cancers begin in the ducts of the pancreas and interfere with normal digestion.
- Endocrine tumors develop in the hormone-producing, or endocrine, cells of the pancreas. These are far less common and can have a more favorable prognosis.
Biliary Cancer
These relatively rare cancers involve the gall bladder or the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the intestines. They are located very close to the pancreas and are often treated like pancreatic cancer. However, we’ve learned more about these cancer in the last several years and now see several genetic distinctions from cancer of the pancreas and use targeted therapies for them.
Symptoms
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect early. When symptoms appear, they can be vague and hard to notice as they could also be caused by other problems that are more common than pancreatic cancer. Some people notice the following symptoms as pancreatic cancer evolves:
- Jaundice – yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
- Pain developing in upper abdomen and back
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Digestive problems including changes in bowel habits, pain after eating, or bloating
Screenings
For some cancers, routine screenings help to detect the disease early. For people who have an average risk of pancreatic cancer, there is currently no routine screening test recommended to detect pancreatic cancer. Screening is recommended for anyone with a high risk, including those ages 40 or older with two or more first-degree relatives with pancreatic cancer along with having inherited genes that increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Screening is also offered to those with three or more family members with pancreatic cancer, even without a documented genetic alteration.
Diagnosis
In addition to completing a comprehensive physical examination and lab work, our physicians may utilize any of the following diagnostic procedures to identify pancreatic and biliary cancers: