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Symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is an extremely aggressive tumor, it develops quickly and quietly. Sad statistics: the survival rate for pancreatic cancer only a few percent. The majority of cases occurs in countries with developed economies.

Causes of pancreatic cancer

Among the factors that contribute to the emergence and development of this disease in the first place is called Smoking. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are abundantly present in tobacco smoke, are a strong stimulant for the development of tumor cells. Scientists suggest that a tobacco provoked by a third of all cases of cancer of the pancreas.

In addition, it referred to the following factors:

  • Improper diet (skewed towards fatty animal food),
  • Diabetes,
  • Chronic pancreatitis,
  • Chronic diseases of the biliary tract,
  • A genetic mutation.

The process of tumor development occurs against the background of General decline in immunity, in General, disorders of the immune system and cause cancer.

Like any other cancer, pancreatic tumor goes through several stages. In the initial stages is formed a primary tumor, then it increases, grows in neighboring tissues and organs. The last stage is pancreatic cancer of 4 degrees. This means that the tumor other organs, e.g., lungs, liver, and the tumor has metastasized throughout the body.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer:

  • Pain
  • Jaundice,
  • Digestive disorders,
  • Skin itching,
  • Weight loss,
  • General deterioration.

These are all signs of pancreatic cancer do not appear in a jiffy. In the initial stages, approximately in the first six months after starting the cancer process, may not feel any symptoms.

simptomy raka podzheludochnoj zhelezyPain in pancreatic cancer localized in the upper abdomen. Possible irradiation of pain in the left hypochondrium and in the spine, shoulder blade. Pain arises due to compression by a tumor of the nerve trunks. In advanced cases, when tumor invades the solar plexus, the pain becomes acute, unbearable.

Yellowing of the skin, sclera of the eye is the result of compression by a tumor of the bile ducts. Along with the growth of the tumor increases and the intensity of jaundice. The color of the skin of the patient at first bright yellow, then can become brownish-green. There are changes in the urine and feces: the stool becomes colorless, and the urine darkens.

Itching caused due to irritation of the skin receptors bile acids. This symptom is a severe test for a patient, it leads to nervousness, depression, and sleep disorders.

In connection with tumor lesion of the pancreas and biliary tract inevitable digestive disorders. This symptom is manifested by heartburn, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, constipation and symptoms of dyspepsia. Digestive disorders along with intoxication by metabolic products of tumors cause weight loss the patient and lead to a General deterioration of his condition.

It should be noted that symptoms of the disease and the sequence of their appearance may vary depending on the location of the tumor. So, the first symptoms of cancer of the pancreatic head is first and foremost, jaundice, and tumors of body and tail of the first signs of pancreatic cancer is pain.

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Diagnosis may be difficult since specific symptoms that give reason to undergo cancer screening, often just not there. However, the presence of jaundice after the age of 50 years can be such a reason, especially if there is also such cancer symptomsthe pancreas, as a phenomenon of dyspepsia.

Diagnosis involves examination of the patient, ultrasonography, computed tomography, blood sampling for analysis of tumor markers. Upon detection of the tumor is necessary to conduct a histological study of cells, this takes the fragment of the tumor. In the case of the pancreas it is possible to make a method of percutaneous puncture.

Treatment

Pancreatic cancer is the case when the treatment is only slightly dependent on the stage of the disease. The only method of radical treatment – surgery. It involves the removal of the affected area of the pancreas. But most often, patients seek treatment in advanced stages of the disease, when formed distant metastases, and surgery does not lead to the elimination of the nidus of cancer cells. Of course, applies radiation and chemotherapy, but the cancer of the pancreas with metastases respond poorly to their effects. In most cases, intensive treatment, including operation, allows prolong the patient's life two to five years. Treatment without surgery gives the patient two years of life, and without treatment patients live, usually not more than six months.

Given the extreme aggressiveness of the tumors generated in the pancreas, better to play it safe and pass an additional examination. This will allow you to detect the problem at an earlier stage. Particularly relevant this advice to people after the age of 50, because the main patients with pancreatic cancer is elderly people.