
Posted in: Uncategorized by cancerhealercenter
Pancreatic cancer is the cancer of the pancreas, a 6 inch long organ located behind the stomach, in the back of the abdomen. The pancreas's head is on the right side of the abdomen, where the stomach is attached to the first part of the small intestine. The other end extends to the left side of the abdomen, adjacent to the spleen. Exocrine and endocrine glands, in the pancreas, create pancreatic juices, hormones, and insulin. Enzymes made by the exocrine glands are subsequently released into the intestines, by the help of a series of ducts, in order to facilitate the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Exocrine ducts and glands make up more than 95% of the pancreas. These endocrine cells, are arranged in clusters, named islets of Langerhans. These islets of Langerhans, release insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These are the two hormones that manage sugar levels in the blood. When these fail to function to their 100%, the result is diabetes. Cancer is usually characterized, by cell growth which is uncontrolled, and pancreatic cancer, is when this begins in the pancreas. Rather than developing into regular pancreatic tissue, these abnormal cells, continue dividing, forming tumors. These, consequently begin to interfere with the function of the pancreas. A tumor that remains in one spot and does not interefere much, is benign. However, when the cells move to other parts of the body, through the blood or the lymphatic system, they destroy other healthy tissues, and this becoms a serious condition that is very difficult to treat. Pancreatic cancer, is characterized, depending on whether the exocrine or endocrine functions are affected. There is an important distinction because they have different causes, risk factors, tests, symptoms, and prognoses. Tumors that affect exocrine functions are the most common. The malignant one's, called adenocarcinomas, account for around 90-95% of all pancreatic cancers. These usually start in the gland cells, in the pancreatic ducts, but they also may begin from pancreatic enzyme cells.
Tumors that effect endocrine functions are called islet cell tumors. Fairly uncommon, these are named for the type of cell they attack initially. Examples include insulinomas, glucagonomas, gastrinomas, somatostatinomas and VIPomas. Most of these tumors are benign, but when malignant, become very dangerous. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:-
Upper abdominal pain, caused by the tumor pressing against nerves.
Yellowing of the skin not unlike jaundice, darkening of the urine, which happens when the cancer interferes with the bile duct and the liver?
Severe loss of appetite and nausea.
Weight loss and weakness.
Pale grey stool, or excess fat in stool
These symptoms are usually miss-diagnosed, and linked to various other ailments, which is what makes pancreatic cancer so dangerous. There are only a few trained minds that can detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages, and prevent its spread, getting rid of the cancerous tumors within the pancreas. It is suggested, that you visit a specialist immediately, even if you are doubtful about one or more of the above symptoms.