How Physicians Detect Pancreatic Cancer
Tests Your Doctor can Perform to Confirm the Presence of this Cancer
Jan 18, 2009
A doctor performing a simple physical exam can miss it too, since the pancreas is deep within the body behind the stomach, small intestine, liver and bile ducts. Risk factors, such as age, lifestyle and family history can increase the chances of falling ill with pancreatic cancer. There are many noticeable physical symptoms that may indicate the existence of this kind of cancer but they closely mimic lots of other illnesses like pancreatitis, an extremely uncomfortable but non-cancerous condition. So, if any of these show up then it's important to find out one way or another.
What Is the Pancreas and What Are the Main Functions of this Organ?
Resembling a small fish, the pancreas is about seven inches long and one and a half inches wide. It has two main functions:
- To produce the enzymes needed to break down food.
- To produce hormones, including insulin. This helps to store glucose and amino acids.
Some Common Symptoms Which Can Be Mistaken for Some Other Problem
- Jaundice
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite and fatigue
- Digestive problems
- Muscle spasms
What Your Physician Will Do When Pancreatic Cancer Is Suspected
If all other non-cancerous possibilities have been ruled out, then your doctor can perform a variety of tests to see what is causing the trouble. He/she will do one or more of the following procedures:
- Ultrasound
- CT scan (Computerized tomography scan)
- MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Biopsy (a small tissue sample is examined under a microscope)
Additional Ways to Detect the Disease
- Endoscopic ultrasound. A tube is placed down the patient's throat and into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine that is beside the pancreas. Ultrasound waves coming from the endoscopes can detect tumors when they are millimeters in length.
- PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography). Using flourodeoxyglucose, this radioactively tagged glucose is metabolized by malignant cells. Doctors can distinguish normal cells from cancerous ones.
Options for Treatment
Assuming that the cancer has not metastasized to the lymph nodes and other organs, doctors can use a number of different treatments.
- The Whipple procedure is a surgical treatment in which doctors remove the head of the pancreas, as well as a portion of the gallbladder, duodenum and a part of the bile duct. Then the remaining parts of those organs are re-connected so the patient can digest food.
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Radiation therapy
Who Is at Risk?
Those most at risk are men and women between the ages of sixty and eighty.
How Can You Avoid Pancreatic Cancer?
A healthy diet with lots of vegetables and fruits will help, as will quitting smoking.
