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Pancreatic cancer
Definition
The pancreas is a gland in the back of the abdomen that is involved in digesting food. Pancreatic cancer is relatively rare but especially dangerous. Its incidence increases with age and is associated with smoking, alcohol abuse and rarely with hereditary predisposition.
Symptoms – Diagnosis
Diagnostic procedures, besides a thorough clinical examination, include ultrasound, Computer Tomography (CT) and possibly an MRI of the abdomen. A biopsy of suspicious lesions is indicated via endoscopic techniques (ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound), CT guidance or surgically.
Treatment
Surgical removal of the tumor is the first treatment option when possible. Endoscopic techniques such as the placement of a stent to drain the bile are used for symptomatic relief. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used alone or in combination, in addition to the surgical approach or in non-surgical disease. Newer drugs have been approved for the treatment of pancreatic cancer including new targeted agents.
Islet tumors of the pancreas)
It is a heterogeneous group of very rare tumors that originate from parts of the pancreas that secrete hormones primarily related to the function of the gastrointestinal tract. They often occur in the context of hereditary syndromes. Tumors usually secrete excess hormones causing clinical syndromes. The clinical picture of such tumors includes persistent diarrhea, frequent episodes of hypoglycemia or newly diagnosed diabetes, stomach pain, and episodes of severe redness of the skin with difficulty in breathing.
The diagnosis is based on the same principles as the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in addition with specialized laboratory tests.
The progression of these tumors is generally very slow and treatment is initially aimed at controlling the symptoms, while chemotherapy has a place in more advanced stages.
