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Pancreatic cancer is the tenth most common cancer in the United States. However, it is the third most common cause of cancer-related death because it is often only diagnosed in its late stages.
Knowing the risk factors and symptoms of pancreatic cancer could be helpful in getting the diagnosis as quickly as possible. Here’s everything you need to know about the different types of pancreatic cancer, their symptoms, and methods to reduce your risk of the disease.
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer occurs when a tumor develops somewhere in the pancreas, a gland between the stomach and spine. The pancreas produces enzymes that help your body digest food and hormones to balance blood sugar levels. When abnormal cells in the pancreas get out of control, a tumor can form.
Are there different types of pancreatic cancer?
Yes. Pancreatic cancer is exocrine or neuroendocrine depending on the origin of the cancer cells.
Most pancreatic cancers are exocrine cancers of the exocrine cells, which are part of the glands and ducts that help digest food.
About 9.5 out of 10 exocrine cancers begin in the pancreatic ducts and are called pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), also called insulinomas, form in cells of the pancreas that produce hormones to control blood sugar levels. They generally multiply more slowly than exocrine cancers. There are several subtypes of this type of tumor.
Who gets pancreatic cancer?
Anyone can get pancreatic cancer. Most people who develop this disorder are over 45 years old and the average age for this diagnosis is 70 years old. Black people are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than their white counterparts. And men develop this disorder more often than women.
But these trends are changing. The incidence of pancreatic cancer is increasing faster in women and people under 55 than in other groups. The rate of pancreatic cancer among blacks continues to rise faster than that among whites.
Researchers aren’t sure why rates are rising more in some groups than others.
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What are the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
People with pancreatic cancer often have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, so diagnosis can be difficult.
Symptoms of late-stage pancreatic cancer may include:
- Pain that starts in the stomach and spreads to the side or back
- Loss of appetite
- Lose weight without trying
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), sometimes itching
- Floating or light-colored stools
- dark urine
- Recently diagnosed diabetes or existing diabetes that is more difficult to control
- Pain and swelling of an arm or leg, which may be caused by a blood clot
- Feel tired or weak
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
Because early-stage pancreatic cancer often shows no symptoms, diagnosis can be difficult. Because the pancreas is located deep in the body, it is difficult to detect a tumor during a regular physical exam.
There is no specific test for pancreatic cancer. Your doctor will likely first take your medical history, ask questions about your symptoms, and perform a physical exam.
Imaging tests are usually done next to get a look inside your body. These could include:
- A computed tomography (CT) scan.
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- an ultrasound
- A cholangiopancreatography
- A positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
Blood tests and biopsies (surgery to remove and analyze pieces of tumor) may also be needed to confirm a diagnosis, determine the stage of the cancer, and recommend therapeutic options.
Can you reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer?
Some risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer may be beyond your control, such as: B. Your family history, certain genetic mutations, black skin, Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, or age over 60.
Certain medical conditions also increase your risk, such as:
- Chronic pancreatitis
- obesity
- Periodontitis
You can also reduce your risk by making lifestyle changes that have a positive impact on your overall health:
- Don’t smoke. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer is twice as high in smokers as in people who have never smoked.
- Try to control your weight. Excess fat in the stomach increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Eat a nutritious, balanced diet with little red and processed meat.
- Avoid alcohol or limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day.
- Try to reduce your exposure to certain chemicals and heavy metals like asbestos. If you cannot reduce your exposure, wear protective equipment such as masks and gloves when handling these chemicals.
- Talk to your doctor about treating cysts or precancerous lesions in your pancreas.
This educational resource was created with support from Merck.
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