This article will review symptoms and stages of pancreatic cancer, how it is diagnosed, and treatment options.
FatCamera / Getty Images
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
Pancreatic canceris one of the most asymptomatic cancers.
It is a difficult condition to detect as there are typically no early signs or symptoms.
FatCamera / Getty Images
Early Signs of Pancreatic Cancer
There are often no early signs of pancreatic cancer.
The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are digestive issues, abdominal pain, and yellow skin and eyes.
This pain can radiate to the sides of the body and the back.
Not moving or bending forward may decrease the pain.
A pancreatic cancer tumor can grow silently for many years without signs or symptoms.
What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is brought on by genetic mutations that affect the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Genetic mutations can naturally occur throughout your lifetime or be inherited from your family.
The majority of cases of pancreatic cancer are linked to genetic mutations that can surface during your lifetime.
Is Pancreatic Cancer Hereditary?
How Is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?
Pancreatic cancer is diagnosed through testing that examines the structure and function of your pancreas.
The stage of pancreatic cancer will influence what jot down of treatment is most appropriate.
Pancreatic cancer is staged based on both letter and number staging systems.
TNM Stages
The TNM staging system uses three different letter grades to classify pancreatic cancer.
Radiation therapy is often used together with chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful medications that kill rapidly growing cancer cells.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are typically the standard treatment for people with advanced stages of pancreatic cancer.
Stopping smoking is also incredibly important as smokers are 2.2 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than nonsmokers.
you’re free to check with your local hospital or national cancer organizations for helpful resources.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pancreatic Cancer Stages.
Pancreatic Cancer Action online grid.Pancreatic Cancer Support Groups.
