Know the Facts About Pancreatic Cancer

The abnormal growth of cells inside the pancreas is known as cancer. There are several types of pancreatic cancer. Each type is diagnosed and treated differently.

Over 90% of pancreatic tumors are formally known as ductal adenocarcinomas; this is considered pancreatic cancer. Mostly found in the pancreas head, closest to the duodenum and bile ducts, these tumors may spread to nearby organs, including your bile ducts, intestines, and stomach. The tumors may also spread  to adjacent blood vessels, lymph nodes, or into your bloodstream, where they deposit into your liver and other organs.  Many people show signs of jaundice—yellowing of your skin and eyes since the tumors typically block bile ducts. Jaundice is a key symptom that can help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer before it spreads.

Ampullary cancer, is a rare form of pancreatic cancer, that starts where the bile duct  from your liver and the pancreatic duct meet and drain into your small intestine. These are generally less aggressive and technically not considered pancreatic cancer but often treated similarly.

Around 5 to 10% of pancreatic cancers are endocrine tumors. They’re also called islet cell tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETS).

These tumors are treated differently than pancreatic adenocarcinomas. These tumors are sensitive to drugs that block blood vessel formation and to different types of chemotherapy and usually have a better prognosis than adenocarcinomas.

Age: Most individuals are typically diagnosed with pancreatic cancer between the ages of 60 and 80.

Rage and Ethnicity: African Americans are more often diagnosed with a more advanced and inoperable form of pancreatic cancer. Statistics show that African Americans as well as people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a higher rate of pancreatic cancer.

Smoking: Statistics show that around 20% of pancreatic cancer is a result of smoking. Individuals who smoke are twice as likely to develop pancreatic cancer as those who don't. Additionally, smoking-related tumors tend to grow faster and develop about 10 years earlier than other tumors.

Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to develop pancreatic cancer as those without the disease.

Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is the acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas. This inflammation increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. The chronic form of this illness is  typically diagnosed between ages 35 and 45. Genetic factors, malformed pancreas ducts, trauma, and heavy alcohol use can cause this disease. Some individuals have inherited genetic mutations that lead to pancreatitis at an early age, also increasing the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. 

Family History:  If your immediate family member (mother, father, sibling, or child) has had pancreatic cancer, your risk increases by two to three times. This risk is greater if multiple people have had it. Doctors have linked several inherited gene mutations with this increased risk.

Diet: Diets high in red meat and fat is associated with a greater risk of pancreatic cancer.

Obesity: Individuals with a  BMI above 25 have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Chemical Exposure: Exposure to pesticides, dyes, or gasoline-related chemicals can increase pancreatic cancer risk.

 Pancreatic Cysts: Some types of cysts inside your pancreas can progress to cancer. It's important to have these cysts screened to determine the risk.

Pancreatic cancer can have general symptoms, symptoms similar to viral hepatitis or gallstones, or no symptoms at all. Because of this, it’s often diagnosed after it has spread. Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen, often with pain in the back directly behind the upper abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
• Jaundice
• Itchy skin
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Floating or foul-smelling stools
• Depression
• Ascites, a condition in which excessive fluid builds up in the abdominal cavity causing swelling and distention of the belly and, sometimes, pain and difficulty breathing
• New or sudden worsening of diabetes
• Dark stools
• Difficulty swallowing, which becomes worse over time
• Excessive burping
• General decline in health
• Loss of appetite or feeling full early after starting to eat
• Nausea
• Vomiting blood
• Weakness or fatigue

While knowing the signs/symptoms and risk factors of pancreatic cancer is beneficial, it is imperative that you seek advice from a medical professional if you suspect that you meet the criteria for pancreatic cancer.  Medical attention will provide the appropriate examination to determine if you may need further testing and screening. 

Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Care Center

https://www.cancer.columbia.edu/cancer-types-care/types/pancreatic-cancer/about-pancreatic-cancer

Johns Hopkins Medicine Pathology 

https://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/familial/about/african-americans#:~:text=The%20incidence%20of%20pancreatic%20cancer,is%2013.4%20per%20100%2C000%20people.