ABC Medical Center > Pancreatic cancer

What is Pancreatic cancer?

13:39 - 9 April , 2021

Disease

The most common type of pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma, which originates from the uncontrolled development of exocrine pancreatic cells, while neuroendocrine tumors begin in endocrine cells. 

Signs and symptoms Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is usually asymptomatic until it is very advanced, but the following symptoms may occur:

  • Pain in the abdomen that is also reflected in the back.
  • Loss of appetite or weight.
  • Yellow pigmentation in skin and eyes.
  • Light colored stools and dark urine.
  • Tiredness and itching.
  • Chronic or recent diabetes. 
  • Clots.

These symptoms do not correspond exclusively to pancreatic cancer, but in case you experience any, it is advisable to see your ABC doctor.

Risks

  • Having family members who have had this type of cancer.
  • Diabetes.
  • After 65 years of age it is much more likely to suffer from it. 
  • Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas.
  • Obesity and smoking.

The combination of smoking, diabetes, and a poor nutritious diet increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis and treatment Pancreatic cancer

How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?

Your doctor will review your medical history and examine you. Then, he or she can request the following studies: 

  • Computed tomography.
  • MRI.
  • Ultrasound.
  • PET-CT.
  • Angiography.
  • Blood test.
  • Biopsy. 

Treatment options

Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the progress or stage of the cancer. 

At ABC Medical Center, doctors from different specialties work together to treat pancreatic cancer, so a highly specialized team of surgeons, oncologists, and radiologist oncologists will treat you with the warmth and humane treatment that sets us apart.

Fuentes: 

  • aecc.es
  • cancer.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • cancer.net
  • medigraphic.com
  • Pacheco MA. Cáncer de páncreas, un reto al sistema sanitario. AMC. 2018;22(5):847-876.
  • Medrano-Guzmán R, Luna-Castillo M, Chable-Puc WJ, et al. Morbimortalidad de la pancreatoduodenectomía en pacientes con cáncer de páncreas y tumores periampulares en el Hospital de Oncología del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI de 2008 a 2013. Cir Cir. 2019;87(1):69-78.
  • Fonseca UJ. Cancer de páncreas. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2017;2(08):3-6.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.