Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms Diagnosed and Treated by Doctors at Mercy

Pancreatic cancer develops when cells inside the pancreas grow uncontrollably and outlive normal cells to form a tumor. Pancreatic cancer can spread rapidly and is seldom detected early.

Because pancreatic cancer symptoms often do not appear until the cancer is advanced, pancreatic cancer usually is not detected early. When pancreatic cancer symptoms do appear, they are similar to most other pancreatic diseases; therefore, it is important to see a pancreas specialist if any of the following pancreatic cancer symptoms occur:

• Upper abdominal pain that can radiate to the back
• Jaundice, or the yellowing of skin and whites of eyes
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Blood clots

Other factors that increase the risk of pancreatic cancer can include smoking, chronic pancreatitis, a long history of diabetes, and heredity.

Pancreatic cancer can be diagnosed by a variety of diagnostic tests including ultrasound, CT scans, and MRIs. In addition, pancreatic cancer can be detected using the following innovative techniques:

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
• Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC)

Pancreatic cancer treatment depends on the cancer stage and location, as well as age, overall health, and personal preferences. Treatment options for pancreatic cancer can include surgery, if the cancer is confined to the pancreas, as well as radiation or chemotherapy. Another pancreatic cancer treatment option is targeted therapy, in which drugs being investigated in clinical trials are prescribed to attack specific abnormalities in the cancer cells.