What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer refers to cancer that begins in the pancreas, an organ responsible for producing digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages due to the vague and non-specific early symptoms.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer:
- Adenocarcinoma: This is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, which originates from the exocrine cells of the pancreas responsible for digestive enzyme production.
- Neuroendocrine Tumors: These are rarer and arise from the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas.
Treatment Methods for Pancreatic Cancer:
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer cells, the location of the tumor, and the patient’s overall health. Key treatment options include:
- Surgery:
- Pancreatectomy: Involves the removal of part or the whole pancreas.
- Whipple Procedure: A complex surgery where parts of the pancreas, duodenum, stomach, and nearby lymph nodes are removed.
- Partial Pancreatectomy: If the tumor is localized, only the affected portion of the pancreas may be removed.
- Chemotherapy:
- Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells or shrink the tumor before surgery. Drugs like Gemcitabine and Fluorouracil (5-FU) are commonly used.
- Radiation Therapy:
- High-energy beams are used to kill cancer cells. It is often combined with chemotherapy in some cases.
- Targeted Therapy:
- Targets specific proteins or genes