Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer starts in the cells of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland that lies behind your stomach deep in the upper part of the abdomen. The pancreas is also part of the hormonal system and makes insulin and other hormones. Hormones made in the pancreas enter the bloodstream and help your body use or store the energy (sugar and fat) from the food you eat. Most pancreatic cancers start in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices.

Pancreatic cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Signs and symptoms often appear as the tumour grows and causes changes in the body. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as pancreatic cancer1.

The signs or symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

- yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (called jaundice) - pain in the upper abdomen or upper back - fatty stools (called steatorrhea) that are light coloured, bulky and float in the toilet - unexplained weight loss - loss of appetite - fatigue - nausea and vomiting - indigestion - feeling full after a small meal - bloating - gas - diarrhea or constipation - itching - dark urine - fever and shivering - swelling of the legs

1 Canadian Cancer Society

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include: - Smoking - Obesity - Diabetes - Family history of pancreatic cancer - Certain genetic conditions (Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome; Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome; Peutz-Jeghers syndrome; Lynch syndrome; Hereditary pancreatitis; Multiple Endocrine neoplasia type 1 and Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome) - Chronic pancreatitis - Alcohol use

For more information check out Pancreatic Cancer Canada

Pancreatic cancer is challenging to diagnose and treat because oftentimes symptoms do not appear until the cancer has grown for some time. To diagnose pancreatic cancer, a variety of tests can be ordered by a physician to help make a well-timed and correct diagnosis. These may include the following: - Bloodwork - Ultrasound - CT scan - Serum tumor markers - Biopsy

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Treatment for pancreatic cancer may include the following: - Radiation Therapy - Multiple types of surgery, including:
  1. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure: removal of the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, part of the duodenum, a small portion of the stomach the antrum, and the lymph nodes near the head of the pancreas).
  2. Total pancreatectomy (removal of the entire pancreas, gallbladder, common bile duct, positions of the small intestine and sometimes the spleen and lower part of your stomach).
  3. Distal Pancreatectomy: (removal of the tail of the pancreas and sometimes part of the body of the pancreas and may involve removal of the spleen because of its proximity to the tail of the pancreas).
  4. Palliative Intent Surgery (used to alleviate distressing symptoms and make the patient more comfortable)
- Chemotherapy - Clinical Trials - Palliative/Supportive Care

For more information, check out Pancreatic Cancer Canada

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HOME - Pancreatic Cancer Canada

Pancreatic Cancer Canada is a vibrant, progressive organization taking on the world’s toughest cancer with the ultimate goal to save more lives. We are committed to raising the survival rate through major investments in research and increased awareness of the disease among the general public and healthcare professionals, while ensuring patients and their families have access to the specialized care and support they need at every stage.

For more information visit: https://pancreaticcancercanada.ca/about-us/mission-goals/

Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society - Canadian Cancer Survivor NetworkCraig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is a national charity dedicated to both increasing survival and improving the quality of life for every Canadian diagnosed with pancreatic cancer through awareness raising, education, support and research.

For more information visit https://www.craigscause.ca/