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Pancreatic Cancer Facts
The Pancreas:
The pancreas is a digestive organ attached to the small intestine. It literally means "all meat" since it looks like a piece of beef. It is about 6 inches long, and has a thicker "head" portion near where it connects to the small intestine, and a thinner "tail" which meets the spleen. The area between the head and tail is called the "body" of the pancreas. The pancreas assists digestion in two ways. The first is it's"endocrine" activity which means that it makes hormones secreted into the bloodstream. The most important hormones of the pancreas are insulin and glucagon. The hormones help the body use or store energy from food. Secondly, the pancreas has "exocrine" activity meaning that it makes substances which are excreted directly into the small intestine, through the "pancreatic duct". These pancreatic juices contain enzymes that help digest food.
Who's at Risk?
No one knows the exact causes of pancreatic cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets pancreatic cancer and another does not. However, certain things have been shown to increase the risk of getting it. Risk Factors:
Age - The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases after age 50
Gender - Men are about 30% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer compared to women, but this difference is narrowing.
Race - African Americans are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than are white American or Asian Americans
Cigarette smoking - About 1/3 of pancreatic cancer cases are thought to be a result of smoking.
Diet - A diet high in meats and fats increases the risk. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and dietary fiber has a protective effect and reduces the risk.
Diabetes - Diabetics are twice as likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
Family History - Pancreatic cancer tends to run in some families. About 5% - 10% of cases are based on an inherited tendency.
What are the Symptoms of Pancreas Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a "silent disease" because early pancreatic cancer often does not cause symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:
Pain in the upper abdomen or upper back
Yellow skin and eyes, and dark urine from jaundice
Weakness/Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss
These symptoms are not sure signs of pancreatic cancer. An infection or other problem could also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of a person's symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor so that the doctor can treat any problem as early as possible.
How is pancreatic cancer detected and diagnosed?
Pancreatic cancer is diagnosed through:
CA 19-9: A tumor marker called CA 19-9 measured in blood and is frequently elevated in pancreatic cancer patients.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
MRI
Ultrasonography: This is an ultrasound of the abdomen to see the internal organs. This can show the size of the pancreas and possibly the presence of a tumor.
Biopsy: This confirms the presence of cancerous cells.
Unfortunately, most of these tests are ineffective at detecting smaller lesions, pre-cancers or early stage cancers, which may be more amenable to a cure. When diagnosed early, surgery offers the best chance for long term control of the disease. However, nearly 90% of patients are diagnosed with metastatic cancer and are not eligible for such a procedure. A blood test, because of ease of use, cost effectiveness and patient compliance, is the ideal early detection method.
What are the treatments for pancreatic cancer?
Many people with pancreatic cancer want to take an active part in making decisions about their medical care. They want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices. However, the shock and stress that people may feel after a diagnosis of cancer can make it hard for them to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. Often it helps to make a list of questions before an appointment. To help remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some patients also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor-to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.
If detected early, whipple surgery may be performed. This is the removal of the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine and some of the surrounding tissue. There is also the option of a pancreatectomy which removes the entire pancreas, part of the small intestine and stomach, the bile duct, gallbladder, spleen and most of the lymph nodes in the area. This leaves the patient completely dependent on insulin injections. Although the surgeries are available, only 15-20% of pancreatic cancer patients are eligible for this treatment option.
For those patients where surgery is not an option, chemotherapy is an option. Combination therapy has shown to be more effective than single drugs. Some drugs that have proven effective at treating pancreatic cancer are gemcitabine and 5-FU. In every case individualized treatment regimens should be explored by the oncologist and health care team.
The doctor can describe treatment choices and discuss the results expected with each treatment option. The doctor and patient can work together to develop a treatment plan that fits the patient's needs.
Treatment depends on where in the pancreas the tumor started and whether the disease has spread. When planning treatment, the doctor also considers other factors, including the patient's age and general health.
Quick Facts
In America, one in three women, and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Approximately 33,730 Americans will be diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in 2006 and 31,270 people will die. Pancreatic Cancer has the #1 fatality rate of all cancers.
Pancreatic Cancer is the #4 cancer killer in the United States amongst both men and women.
The 98% mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is the highest of any cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer does not discriminate by age, gender or race and only 4% of patients will survive beyond 5 years.
The average life expectancy after diagnosis with metastatic disease is just 3-6 months.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) spent an estimated $53.8 million on pancreatic cancer research on 2005. This
was jut a mere 1% of the NCI's $4.825 billion cancer research budget for 2005.
Despite the especially lethal nature of pancreatic cancer, the research spending per pancreatic cancer patient is only $1145, the lowest of any leading cancer. No effective early detection methods have been developed, there are minimal treatment options available and very little research is under way due to limited research funding.
Through PanCAN's advocacy efforts with the federal government, the annual research funding for pancreatic cancer has increased by $48.5 million.
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