by Rhonda Day

Created on: September 23, 2007   Last Updated: February 29, 2008

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers known today and prognosis is often grim. Since there are no noticeable signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease, it is often advanced beyond treatment or cure once it is diagnosed.

The signs of pancreatic cancer mimic those of some other diseases which make it difficult to diagnose. Also, the pancreas is hidden behind other organs including the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts; therefore, it is hard to definitively diagnose pancreatic cancer without significant testing and persistent probing. Doctors often conduct tests ruling out other conditions prior to examining the pancreas since its symptoms can be deceiving.

Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. According to the National Cancer Institute (2007) there are approximately 37,170 new cases diagnosed and nearly 34,000 will likely result in death annually. Risk factors contributing to the disease include smoking, diabetes, pancreatitis, and certain hereditary conditions.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer begin subtly and increase over time. They include weight loss for no known reason, pain which extends or radiates from the middle area of the abdomen to the back, gastrointestinal discomfort, and jaundice. These symptoms are very similar to gallbladder disease or other gastrointestinal disorders. There are a number of tests which can be administered to diagnose the disease including but not limited to physical examination by a cancer specialist, CT Scans, MRIs, PET Scans, Endoscopic Ultrasounds, Laparoscopy, Biopsy, and laboratory tests.

The cancer can be controlled only if it has not spread to other organs or lymph nodes prior to diagnosis and treatment. The disease is classified into "stages" beginning with Stage 0 and escalating to Stage IV. In Stage 0, abnormal cells are found in the lining of the pancreas and they may already be or become malignant. In Stage II, the cancer has begun to spread to nearby organs and possibly tissue, and by Stage IV it has spread to distant organs, tissue, or lymph nodes making it inoperable.

Surgery is an option if pancreatic cancer is found early enough before it has spread to distant organs and lymph nodes. The procedure is called a "Whipple Procedure" which removes the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, parts of the stomach, part of the small intestine, and the bile duct. The pancreas left intact is necessary

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