What is pancreatic cancer?
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A small gland nestled deep in the abdomen under the curve of the stomach, the pancreas produces hormones and insulin that aids digestion and helps maintain the body’s sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells uncontrollably multiply to form a malignant mass or tumor.
There are two categories of pancreatic cancer, distinguished by where the tumor begins. The most common one, referred to as an adenocarcinoma starts in the pancreatic ducts carrying pancreatic juices or enzymes. When tumors form they may grow large enough to impact nerves resulting in back pain. The more rare kind of pancreatic cancer starts in cells that secrete hormones and insulin into blood vessels.
Treatment and prognosis is different for each type and may involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
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Is there a test for pancreatic cancer?
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| No, there is no one specific early diagnostic test to identify pancreatic cancer. If disease is suspected, certain blood tests for cancer markers or liver enzymes might reveal an abnormality. Confirmation is generally obtained through a variety of lab tests, a biopsy and imaging techniques, including PET or CT-scan, and sometimes ultrasound. |
Is pancreatic cancer hard to detect?
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| Yes. Since the pancreas is deep within the abdomen making tumors
difficult to feel, patients often experience few if any symptoms until
the disease has progressed and begins to disrupt other nearby organ
functions. |
| What are the symptoms? |
| These are often vague, making diagnosis difficult; fatigue, appetite and weight loss, nausea or abdominal pain. Some patients itch and become jaundiced, so their skin looks somewhat yellow. |
| Are there stages of pancreatic cancer? |
| Yes. Like other cancers, physicians look at the tumor size, location within the pancreas, whether the cancer has spread to other sites and lymph node involvement to determine if the disease is stage 1 through 4. This helps determine the course of treatment. |
| What are the treatments? |
| Depending on the tumor location and spread, a minority of patients may be surgical candidates. There is no universal treatment for patients who cannot have surgery. Talk to your physician for recommendations. Sometimes patients are treated with chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy or some combination. |
| What about clinical trials? |
| Often patients are given the option of participating in a clinical trial as part of treatment. The results of what is in fact a voluntary study provides researchers and physicians with more knowledge about the promise of different medications, surgeries or radiation. Patient health is carefully monitored and comparative information is gathered which may improve prevention, detection, and treatment for current and future patients. |
| Who is at risk? |
No one is certain what causes pancreatic cancer. However, researchers believe there is a genetic component, making the chances of developing pancreatic cancer higher among the families of a diseased patient. Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor. More African-Americans than whites are diagnosed, and increasing age, obesity, diabetes, and long-term pancreatitis increase the odds. As a group, it appears to be more common among Jewish people, possibly due to an inherited gene mutation related to breast cancer.Some people with a family history may seek genetic counseling that often helps them and researchers identify increased risk. Counseling is not predictive, but serves more as an informative tool. There are a number of on-going studies looking at the hereditary link to pancreatic cancer. The Rolfe Foundation funds early detection research at Johns Hopkins University. This center is among those with a registry to learn why this cancer appears in some families.
Click these links to learn more.
Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Cancer Research
Johns Hopkins-Jewish Ancestry
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| How common is pancreatic cancer? |
| According to the American Cancer Society, there were just over 32,000 new cases nearly equally split among men and women in the United States in 2005. Pancreatic cancer accounts for 2% of new cancer diagnoses, yet it is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths each year. Survival depends upon its spread, but is most often under one year. |
| Getting a second opinion. |
| Many insurance companies require a second opinion. Also, it’s often helpful to talk to different specialists to make an informed decision about treatment choices and to be comfortable with the medical team that will be involved with the patient as well as his or her loved ones. |
| What to ask your doctor or nurse before and during treatment. |
It’s always helpful to bring a list of questions to an appointment and to write down the answers. Often when any cancer is diagnosed it’s difficult to think clearly and quickly process so much information.Generally, patients want to know where their cancer is located, if it has spread and if so, the extent. Ask why the oncologist suggests one treatment rather than another, whether a clinical trial is a good choice and what to expect during the course of therapy. How will routine activities change, what side effect as possible, will your dietary needs be affected? Find out who in the doctor’s office will help coordinate insurance coverage. Get phone numbers for all contact people, from the nursing coordinator to emergency services.
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| What are the side effects of treatment? |
| Each person responds in various degrees to chemotherapy and radiation, but since both damage healthy and cancerous tissue, side effects are common. These may include nausea, pain, fatigue, even changes in how food tastes and more. Discuss this with your medical team so they can help you minimize side effects. |
| Prevention. |
| There is little known about prevention outside of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Cigarette smokers and overweight individuals are at higher risk for many illnesses, including cancer of the pancreas. Smokers are 2 to 3 times more likely than non-smokers to be diagnosed with this disease. Obese people are more prone to suffer from diabetes which is often connected to pancreatic cancer. |
| What's new in research? |
Today’s research is extensive, focusing on areas ranging from early detection to life-extending treatments. |
| Can support groups help patients and their families? |
| Yes. Many people find comfort or guidance from others who have had similar experience with cancer. The Foundation offers a helpline which offers one-on-one support to patients and their loved ones. Please call 312-583-4176 for more information. |
| Do people survive pancreatic cancer? |
| As with any aggressive cancer there are people who beat the odds, living years beyond the average pancreatic cancer patient. |
| Where can I get more information? |
| NEED INFO
First talk to you healthcare provider. You can also access information through the links below to private, government and non-profit organizations. These sites are not endorsed by the Rolfe Foundation but are provided as references for your convenience. Since healthcare constantly changes suggested tests, treatments or alternatives should always be checked with your doctor. |
| What should I do to help my loved one or friend? |
| Listen to their concerns, hopes and fears. You don’t always have to have an answer, but your patience, loyalty and offers to help in whatever ways possible will be appreciated. Learn about pancreatic cancer to help your loved one navigate the medical, psychological, or insurance questions that might arise. When appropriate encourage social activity, family gatherings, or a support group. |
| Caregivers need support, too. |
| Caregivers experience a host of physical and emotional feelings while attending to the needs of patient recovering from surgery, feeling generally ill or in the end-stage of life. The Rolfe Foundation provides a one-on-one program of volunteers who’ve shared this experience. Please call the Foundation at 312-583-4176 for more information.
You can also join a local support group to share your feelings with others in similar situations. It’s often helpful to learn how other people manage their lives while caring for someone very ill. Besides the patient, the people closest to you may also experience similar feelings as you. It’s okay to recognize you can’t do everything alone. Talk to friends, family, your clergy, get support.
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| Short and long term care. |
| Depending on how the patient feels it might be necessary or helpful to consider home health care, an intermediary or long-term care facility. Insurance might be a consideration when and if this care is needed. Patients often are most comfortable in their own homes, but might at times require round-the-clock care better provided in a skilled nursing facility. |
| On-line personal experiences, phone and support. |
There’s nothing like talking to someone who’s been where you are now. Several organizations including the Rolfe Foundation offer telephone or on-line buddies who can lend an ear to your concerns. The Rolfe Foundation collaborates with organizations that provide free services, counseling, networking resources and support groups for pancreatic cancer patients.
Call our office between 9AM and 5PM Central Standard Time at: 312-492-7337 or contact us through our website. We will make every effort to return your call within one business day.
Cancer Wellness Centers in many areas offer a range of services from education to massage or individual, family and disease specific support groups. Their counselors and the experiences of others may offer insight about coping with your feelings.
While we are not endorsing the web sites lised below, they may provide you with another avenue of discussion:
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| Legal and financial considerations. |
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer concerns the patient as well as family members. It’s prudent to make sure all legal affairs are in order and check with your insurance carrier to find out about coverage. Your policy might not provide long-term care or reimbursement could limit the amount you claim.
If you have Medicare, for instance, and require long-term care it only covers care in certain facilities for a limited time. If you can’t afford care, have job-related or insurance problems the resources below might be helpful:CancerCare HealthCareCoach Patient Care Advocate
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| Hospice or palliative care. |
| Many hospitals offer care programs for patients no longer responsive to treatment. Palliative care is designed to give patients dignity and help their loved ones be comfortable by providing medical and psychosocial services in a medical setting or in the patient’s home. Insurance often covers more costs in these programs than for patients who continue traditional care. |
| Is there someone I can talk to who has been through the loss of a close friend or relative? |
| There are Grief or Bereavement Groups across the country. Check with the hospital where your loved one was treated. Some centers that have Hospice or Palliative Care Units offer such sessions or might refer you to others. Your church, synagogue, community center or local Cancer Wellness Center might have a group. These Groups may be led by a social worker or therapist trained in helping loved ones express their feelings of loss and adjust to the next part of their lives. |