Pancreatic cancer

Disease description

Pancreatic cancer is an oncological disease that affects the pancreas (an organ responsible for both digestive and endocrine functions). The tumor can develop in any part of the pancreas, but according to statistics, 60% of neoplasms are concentrated in the head of the organ.

Men are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women. The average age of diagnosis is between 65 and 67 years. Among digestive system cancers, pancreatic cancer ranks fourth in terms of prevalence.

Forms of pancreatic cancer

• Adenocarcinoma: the tumor develops in the cells responsible for producing digestive enzymes. This type accounts for 90% of all cases.
• Neuroendocrine tumor (islet cell carcinoma): forms in the cells responsible for hormone production (particularly insulin). This form is much rarer than adenocarcinoma.

Symptoms indicating the need for diagnosis and treatment

The disease often remains asymptomatic for a long time. In most cases, the diagnosis is made when the tumor has grown large enough to compress neighboring organs.

With neuroendocrine cancer, the patient may experience:

• Weight loss
• Nausea, vomiting
• Muscle weakness
• Skin rash
• Sudden onset of diabetes

With adenocarcinoma, the patient may present with the following symptoms:

• Abdominal or back pain (the location of the pain depends on the tumor’s position: if in the tail — pain on the left, if in the head — pain in the stomach area, center, or slightly radiating to the right side)
• Poor appetite
• Bloating
• Irregular stool (alternating diarrhea and constipation)

Diagnosis and treatment methods

Diagnosis

In addition to examination and lab tests, oncologist-gastroenterologists in top clinics in Europe and worldwide prescribe the following diagnostic procedures:

• Ultrasound (US): early stages of cancer are difficult to detect with this method
• Biopsy: sampling of pancreatic tissue
• CT, MRI, PET-CT
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: stent placement in the bile duct in cases of jaundice

Treatment

There are three main types of therapy:

Chemotherapy: administered before surgery, during surgery (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy), after surgery, or instead of surgery when the tumor cannot be surgically removed

Surgery: the only way to completely remove the tumor. Suitable for 15-20% of patients with pancreatic cancer

Radiation therapy: the most advanced option today is IMRT (intensity-modulated radiation therapy)

Innovations in global clinics

To treat inoperable pancreatic cancer, European medical centers use HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound). Ultrasound waves instantly heat and destroy abnormal cells. This therapy is called “scalpel-free oncological surgery” and is suitable for tumors of any size and shape.