Pancreatic cancer starts in the tissues of your pancreas, a large organ that extends horizontally behind the lower stomach. Cancer pancreas is more common in men between the ages of 35 and 70, is the fourth most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer, cancer colorectal and breast cancer). Pancreatic carcinoma is usually an adenocarcinoma and usually arises from the pancreatic duct cells that make up the bulk the pancreas.

Cause of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic tumors are caused by damage to genes, but no one knows exactly why it happens this damage. The evidence suggests that is related to exposure to carcinogens such as cigarettes, foods high in fats and proteins and food additives. Possible predisposing factors include chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and chronic alcohol abuse.

There is some evidence that people who do not eat many fresh vegetables and fruits are at increased risk of pancreatic cancer.also overweight can cause a small increase in risk. Some industrial chemicals called chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents have been linked to pancreatic cancer, although it is unlikely that an important factor. Other chemicals and exposures that have been linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer in some studies include pesticides, radiation, nickel, chromium and iron.

The average age of onset of pancreatic cancer is between 70 to 80, but heavy smokers and drinkers present an average of seven to 10 years before the rest of the population.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer
The most common are weight loss, abdominal or back pain, jaundice and diarrhea.
Other more general effects include fever, skin lesions, depression, anxiety and a premonition of impending death. Ascites (fluid retention in the abdomen) may be a sign of pancreatic tumors.

Diagnosis
This is very difficult to diagnose pancreatic cancer as the pancreas is so deep in the body and symptoms vary depending on the exact location of the tumor in the pancreas and the cells or function of the pancreas is affected by the tumor or cancer. Unfortunately, the symptoms of this cancer can also be very vague and nonspecific and may be caused by many other diseases more common and less severe.

Pancreatic cancer usually spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is one of the main reasons why it is one of the leading causes of cancer death. Specialists believe that anyone over 50 who develops diabetes and has unexplained weight loss should be investigated for other pancreatic disease. Courvoisier sign defines the presence of jaundice and a painlessly distended gallbladder as strongly indicative of pancreatic cancer and can be used to distinguish pancreatic cancer from gallstones.

Treatment
The treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the stage and location of the cancer as well as your age, overall health and personal preferences. The first goal is to eliminate cancer, whenever possible. When that is not an option, the focus may be on the prevention of pancreatic cancer growth or causing more damage. This cancer is relatively resistant to medical treatment and the only potentially curative treatment is surgery. Radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer can relieve pain but does not affect survival of patients.

Gemcitabine was approved by the U.S. FDA in 1998 after a clinical trial reported improvements in quality of life in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Management of pain and other symptoms is an important part of treatment of advanced cancer.

Forecast
Cancer pancreas often have a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early and the average survival period from the time of diagnosis to death is possibly the worst of any of the cancers. The best predictors of long-term survival after surgery are a tumor diameter of less than 3 cm, without lymph node involvement, negative resection margins, and diploid tumor DNA content.

Due to difficulties in diagnosis, nature aggressive pancreatic cancer and the limited available systemic therapies, the survival rate five years for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is only 5%. For cancer that can not be removed completely with surgery, or cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas, cure is not now possible and the median survival is less than 1 year.

Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites Go to Health Innovations Online and Go to Cancer Information Online

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