Pancreatic cancer with metastases

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant formation, which affects the glandular tissue or the ducts of the gland. Education has a very rapid growth and germination of neighboring tissues and organs. Therefore, metastases to the pancreas can occur not only at the last stage of the malignant process, but a little bit earlier.

Malignant tumor looks like a thick lumpy knot of white or yellow color. Often cancer found in men older than 50 years.

Reasons

The main reason for the formation of pancreatic cancer with metastases is considered a genetic failure of the cells in which they fail to fulfill the usual function. Abnormal cells are characterized by rapid growth and multiply in a short period of time, spreading throughout the body and create new tumors. Tumor cells spread by lymphogenous and through the blood stream.

To date, no exact data on the period of cell mutation and damage, which contribute to this. When the aggregate of the specific type of mutations the cells begin to degenerate and become malignant.

There are some risk factors that contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer with metastases:

• genetic predisposition;
• improper diet;
• Smoking;
• weight;
• lack of exercise;
• a lack of selenium.

It is known that Smoking increases the risk of developing cancer pathology several times. Also there is some link between cancer of the gland and unhealthy diet. Patients with overweight and consume harmful products are more likely to development of disease. If close relatives had such a pathology, in this case, pancreatic cancer can form in genetic factor.

Signs of cancer

At the initial stage of tumor development symptoms of metastases in the pancreas or other signs of cancer may not be present. Primarily concerned about human pain in the epigastrium. Pain occur regardless of the meal, but at night worse. A discomfort in the navel or right upper quadrant. In the case that affects the body of the gland, pain can radiate to the lower back, in the back and in the area between the shoulder blades.

Over time joined by paraneoplastic signs, which are characterized by nausea, weakness, aversion to meat, fatty food, and poor appetite. There is a sharp loss of weight and disturbed sleep. The skin becomes dark shade on the background of the development of obstructive jaundice. Compression of the bile duct causes dark urine. He gall bladder stretched.

Patient concerned itching, diarrhea, and steatorrhea. Disturbed digestion of food. Metastases in the pancreas and the stomach, complicated by bleeding. Appear chair vomiting or black type coffee grounds. A feeling of heaviness in the stomach and belching rotten. Compression of the splenic vein causes the signs of anemia, and leads to a pathological enlargement of the spleen.

At the very last stage of pancreatic cancer patient ascites is formed. This suggests the presence of metastases in the portal vein or of the defeat of the peritoneum.

Diagnosis

To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity. To determine the exact size of the tumor using computed tomography. Such method of examination as magnetic resonance imaging can be carried out only when the patient has no metal implants.

To clarify the scope of the lesion and metastases is possible with positron emission tomography. Also, cancer is diagnosed at angiography, and radiography of the stomach.

Treatment

Treatmentmetastases to the pancreas is done with the help of palliative surgeries. This type of surgery can facilitate quality of life and improve the move of bile. There are two types of palliative surgery. In the first type removes a portion of the tumor formation. This method is combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy, to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect. The second type of surgical intervention involves removal of the metastasis and various complications.

Unlike radiation therapy, chemotherapy has a more gentle action and has fewer side effects. Radiation therapy kills cancer cells remaining in the body after surgical treatment by irradiation of generation of radioactive rays.

In modern medical practice is widely used CyberKnife. It does not require special preparation of the patient and prolonged hospital stay. The method does not cause any complications in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.