Pancreatic cancer is quite uncommon.\u00a0About 1300 people a year get the disease.\u00a0Most are over 70 years old.\u00a0Pancreatic cancer has usually spread to the body when the disease is detected.\u00a0Then there is a treatment that can slow down and relieve the disease for some time but it cannot be rid of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cancer of the pancreas means that a cancerous tumor has formed in the pancreas, which is also called the pancreas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pancreatic cancer can spread to, for example, lymph nodes, the liver, the peritoneum, or the lungs.\u00a0It is common for the disease to spread at an early stage before it begins to produce symptoms.\u00a0Then you can’t get rid of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All tumors of the pancreas are not cancer.\u00a0There may be tumors that have not yet developed into cancer and even\u00a0benign tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most common form of pancreatic cancer<\/strong> is called ductal adenocarcinoma.\u00a0Then the disease begins in the passage through which the pancreas runs through.\u00a0This article is about ductal adenocarcinoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pancreas is located near the stomach.\u00a0The pancreas forms the pancreas.\u00a0The pancreas contains enzymes that help break down food.\u00a0The pancreas also forms the hormones insulin and glucagon.\u00a0They are needed for metabolism, primarily to regulate blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Initially, pancreatic cancer does not produce any symptoms or unclear symptoms that may also be due to many other diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A common early symptom of pancreatic<\/strong> cancer is jaundice.\u00a0Here are some typical signs of jaundice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jaundice in cancer of the pancreas is because the cancerous tumor compresses the bile duct. Then the bile cannot drain into the duodenum. Instead, it remains in the liver. From the liver, the bile dye bilirubin flows directly into the blood and causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow and it begins to itch on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the most part, jaundice has completely different causes than pancreatic cancer, such as\u00a0gallstones or hepatitis.\u00a0Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can hurt high up in the stomach and out to the back.\u00a0You may also feel discomfort in the upper abdomen and feel unwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it is much more common that the symptoms have causes other than pancreatic cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may involuntarily lose weight. This may be because the cancer tumor prevents the body from absorbing nutrition properly. You may also lose the desire to eat. It is not known what this is due to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The symptoms need not be due to pancreatic cancer. They are common even in other stomach or intestinal disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact a\u00a0health care center\u00a0if you think you have pancreatic cancer<\/span>.\u00a0You can contact many receptions by\u00a0logging in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you get yellow eye whites or yellow skin at the same time as you get a fever and chills, contact a\u00a0health care center\u00a0or\u00a0on-call reception straight away.\u00a0If this is not possible, seek medical attention at an emergency room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can tell your doctor about your complaints and how long you have had them. The doctor also feels on the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer<\/em> are the same as in many other diseases.\u00a0Therefore, the investigation of your complaints may, for example, begin with the colon being x-rayed or the stomach being examined with\u00a0gastroscopy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have jaundice, an\u00a0ultrasound examination can show if there is anything that prevents the bile from flowing between the liver and the duodenum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An examination with\u00a0computed tomography can often give an answer as to whether you have a cancerous tumor in the pancreas and whether it has spread.\u00a0Sometimes a\u00a0magnetic camera examination\u00a0is also needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may submit different blood tests. They can show how the liver works or if there are tumor markers in the blood. Tumor markers are substances secreted by tumors. In pancreatic cancer, it is common to have more of the tumor marker CA19-9 in the blood. It may also be due to other diseases that are not cancer, but the measurement value is helpful when the doctor is to make a diagnosis based on the studies that have been done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are to be treated with\u00a0cytostatic drugs, a tissue sample is needed.\u00a0The tissue sample can provide more information on how the cancer cells behave.\u00a0This way you can get a cytostatic treatment that is as effective as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is often an x-ray that takes the tissue sample, also called biopsy. You get local anesthesia. Then the doctor uses ultrasound to guide a needle through the skin of the stomach and into the tumor. The doctor takes a small sample of the tumor through the needle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are going to have surgery, you usually do not need a tissue sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are offered an examination according to a standardized course of care if the doctor suspects that you may have pancreatic cancer. Standardized care processes are a way of organizing the investigation so that it goes as quickly as possible. Among other things, there are times set for the examinations you may need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The doctor who writes the referral will tell you why you should be examined according to a standardized course of care and what it means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is often quick to get calls for examinations in a standardized course of care.\u00a0It is good if you are clear about how the staff most safely reach you so that you do not miss any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can be operated on so that you get rid of the cancerous tumor if it has not spread and if you feel well otherwise. Sometimes the operation is supplemented with cytostatic treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Approximately one in five people can be offered an attempt at surgery.\u00a0Sometimes it is only during the operation that cancer has spread.\u00a0Then the surgery is interrupted and you receive curative treatment with cytostatics instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before an operation, careful preparation is needed. For example, the heart and lungs need to be examined so that the doctor can make sure your body is able to cope with the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You also need to talk to the doctor a lot before making a decision about surgery so that you feel prepared and motivated. Both the surgery and the time after the surgery are demanding and there is a risk of various complications. There is also a risk that the disease will return, despite the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You who smoke have much to gain from quitting.\u00a0Those who are going to have surgery reduce the risk of complications and recover sooner afterward.\u00a0Stop smoking completely, if you can.\u00a0Otherwise, pause.\u00a0You can get help to quit smoking if you need to.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common operation involves the surgeon removing the part of the pancreas where the cancer tumor is located.\u00a0In addition, the surgeon removes the gallbladder, part of the bile duct and duodenum.\u00a0It is also common for the lower half of the stomach to be removed.\u00a0All lymph nodes near the cancerous tumor must be removed.\u00a0Thereafter, the pancreas, the bile duct, and the stomach are connected to the small intestine.\u00a0You are anesthetized when you are operated on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the operation, you remain approximately 10-12 days in the hospital. You may need to stay longer if there is any complication. For example, you may get an infection in the operating wound or in the stomach. You also need to stay longer if you have difficulty eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you may need help at home for a while after the surgery. Then you and the staff plan for it before printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people may come on an initial visit about a month after their stay in the hospital. The doctor is examining you. Sometimes an X-ray examination may be needed. You will know what the analysis shows of what was removed. This is important for continued treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then it varies how often and how long you need to make a return visit. This depends, among other things, on what type of pancreatic cancer has been removed and how you feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may need treatment with\u00a0cytostatics\u00a0after surgery.\u00a0There are different types of cytostatic drugs.\u00a0They are cell-inhibiting drugs that reduce the risk of the disease coming back, also called relapse.\u00a0You receive treatment at the hospital at regular intervals for six months.\u00a0Between treatment sessions, you can be at home.\u00a0It varies from person to person how many treatment sessions are needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, cytostatic treatment for pancreatic cancer<\/span> is also needed before surgery to shrink the cancer tumor to make it easier to operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The surgery to remove the cancer tumor affects how the body works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The weeks after surgery can be stressful, including adjusting the food so that you don’t lose too much weight. You may meet a dietician who can ensure that you get nutritional solutions or nutritional drinks that you can supplement your meals with if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is common to lose a lot of weight in connection with the disease.\u00a0But eventually, the weight usually increases again, even though you may not regain the weight you had before the illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may need to change your eating habits so that you eat smaller portions but more times a day than you did before.\u00a0It is good if the food is not too fatty.\u00a0Fat foods can make you feel bad if your body’s ability to handle fat has been impaired.\u00a0In the future, you will need to take medicines with digestive enzymes when you eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get diabetes if you have surgery for pancreatic cancer. This is because some of the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are also removed when you are operated on. Insulin is a hormone that is important for regulating blood sugar levels. You may need treatment with blood sugar lowering tablets if you get diabetes. Some people need treatment with insulin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You recover better if you move after the surgery. A physical therapist or physiotherapist can advise you on physical activities and support based on your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may also need other rehabilitation to make life work as well as possible. Rehabilitation means different kinds of help and support, depending on how you feel, how you feel and how you want it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is common for the disease to have already spread when it is detected.\u00a0Then it can not get rid of.\u00a0Most often, you cannot get rid of the disease if it comes back after you have had surgery.\u00a0It is called a relapse when the disease returns.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then you can instead get a treatment that can slow down cancer for a while and that relieves pain.\u00a0It is called palliative care.\u00a0The purpose of the care is that you should be able to have a good and active a life as possible in every way with the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cytostatic therapy can curb the disease for a limited time in about two out of three people.\u00a0The treatment is demanding.\u00a0Therefore, it depends on how you feel if you can get curative treatment with cytostatic drugs.\u00a0Braking cytostatic treatment you get in hospital.\u00a0Between the treatment sessions, you do not need to be in the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the disease is no longer curable, you receive treatment that relieves.\u00a0On the\u00a0Help and Support\u00a0page,\u00a0you can read more about what help you can get if you need psychological, existential or social support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are examples of bodily disorders and what treatment is available:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many types of effective help if you are in pain. There are pain-relieving drugs in the form of tablets or patches where the medicine is taken up through the skin. Pain relief is also available as a drop directly into the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Radiation therapy can help if the disease causes you pain in the skeleton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The disease can cause you to lose your appetite and lose weight. You may feel sick and vomit. You may also have trouble with constipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A dietitian can give you dietary advice and make sure you get special nutritional drinks against weight loss.\u00a0You can get a nutritional solution that drips directly into your blood if you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are medicines for nausea.\u00a0Nausea may be due to the cancerous tumor displacing the duodenum so that the food cannot pass.\u00a0Then the duodenum can be widened with a small tube, also called a stent.\u00a0It is inserted using\u00a0gastroscopy.\u00a0It is also possible to perform an operation to transfer part of the intestine past the cancer tumor so that the food can pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you get constipation, it may be because you need more fluid. It is good if you can drink more water and have the opportunity to move. Morphine or other morphine-like drugs can also cause you to become constipated. You should have access to laxative against constipation if you get morphine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may feel very tired and that it does not help to rest.\u00a0It is common in cancer and is called fatigue.\u00a0Fatigue can have several causes.\u00a0For example, you may have an infection or need more nutrition.\u00a0You may have\u00a0anemia.\u00a0Then you can get iron medicine or a\u00a0blood transfusion if needed.\u00a0Fatigue can also be due to a\u00a0depression that you need treatment for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Physical activity can alleviate fatigue.\u00a0Touch yourself the way you can and do.\u00a0Avoid resting for a long time.\u00a0Rather take several short rests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fluid can accumulate in the stomach so that it becomes larger.\u00a0Sometimes liquid drugs help.\u00a0The fluid can also be drained through a needle inserted into the stomach.\u00a0Then you get\u00a0local anesthesia first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jaundice can, among other things, cause it to start itching a lot on the body.\u00a0This is because the cancerous tumor blocks the bile duct.\u00a0Most often it helps to get a small tube inserted into the bile duct.\u00a0The tube is called a stent and allows the bile to drain into the duodenum as it should.\u00a0The tube is inserted during an\u00a0ERCP examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It usually takes a few weeks before jaundice disappears after the tube is inserted.\u00a0Sometimes there is a stop in the pipe.\u00a0You notice it by becoming more yellow again or getting a fever and chills which are signs of infection.\u00a0You may then need a new ERCP examination to replace or clean the tube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also liquor can relieve it if it continues to itch even if you have had a stent inserted.\u00a0Lubricate with moisturizing cream if you have dry skin.\u00a0It can also itch less if you shower cool.\u00a0Medicines with antihistamines can relieve itching if neither cream nor other agents help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get soothing care at home, in a hospital, or at a so-called hospice.\u00a0It depends on what care you need and what you want yourself.\u00a0You can read more in the text about\u00a0palliative care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many ways to respond to a cancer message. You may need plenty of time to talk to your doctor and other healthcare professionals about what the message means. If possible, please let a relative accompany you. The related person can act as a support and help to remember what has been said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also ask to have the information written down so you can read it peacefully.\u00a0Ask questions if you don’t understand.\u00a0You have the right to receive\u00a0information in your own language.\u00a0You also have the right to receive interpreting assistance if you have a hearing impairment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In many hospitals, there are special nurses called\u00a0contact\u00a0nurses who can provide support and also help with various practical things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many, it usually feels easier once treatment has begun and they know what is going to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The contact nurse or the hospital’s curator can help you if you need to talk more or have questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can contact Cancer Counseling, the Cancer Foundation or, for example, a patient association. Palema is a patient association for people with cancer of the pancreas, liver or esophagus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A minor child has the right to receive information and support based on his or her own needs if a relative is ill. It is the responsibility of care. If you want to tell the child yourself, you can get help with what you have to say. Often it is good to make children as involved as possible, no matter how big or small they are. That doesn’t mean you have to tell everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have the right to be involved in your care whenever possible. The healthcare staff should tell you what treatment options are available. They should make sure you understand what the different options mean, what side effects are available and where you can get treatment. That way you can help decide which treatment is right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can make a care plan together with the contact nurse, the doctor and other staff. The care plan should answer questions that are important to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get a\u00a0\u00a0new medical assessment if you are unsure if you are receiving the care and treatment that is best for you.\u00a0You will then see another doctor, usually at another specialist clinic.\u00a0Ask your doctor if you want to know more about how to get a new medical assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can feel difficult to be close to someone who is sick. It is common to want to support while you have a strong concern and feel bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have other people in your area, try letting them support you.\u00a0It can be family members, friends or acquaintances.\u00a0Often it will be easier for them to help you if you tell them how it feels and shows if you are worried or sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get help from the\u00a0contact nurse or a curator at the hospital if you are close and need supportive calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cause of the disease is not entirely clear.\u00a0In most people, it is probably a coincidence.\u00a0But there are risk factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The risk of getting pancreatic cancer<\/em> increases with age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoking doubles the risk of pancreatic cancer.\u00a0Sniffing can also increase risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The disease can be hereditary if you have several closes, genetic relatives who have had pancreatic cancer.\u00a0You can then get a genetic examination to see if you inherited the risk.\u00a0Five out of a hundred people who get pancreatic cancer have an inherited increased risk of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prolonged inflammation of the pancreas can increase the risk of getting the disease. You can get such inflammation if, for example, you have been drinking a lot of alcohol for several years. It is also called chronic inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being overweight involves a certain increased risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diabetes involves a certain increased risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The studies conducted so far have not been able to show that the risk of the disease is affected by physical activity and what you eat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Pancreatic cancer is quite uncommon. About 1300 people a year get the disease. Most are over 70 years old. Pancreatic cancer has usually spread to the body when the disease is detected. Then there is treatment that can slow down and relieve the disease for some time but it cannot be rid of.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,22,542],"tags":[44,215,214],"class_list":["post-194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diseases","category-cancer","category-types-of-cancer","tag-cancer","tag-pancreatic","tag-pancreatic-cancer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=194"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3650,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194\/revisions\/3650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}This is how the pancreas works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jaundice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pain and discomfort in the stomach and back<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Involuntary weight loss and decreased appetite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When and where should I seek care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When it is in a hurry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Investigations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ultrasound examination in jaundice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Computed tomography and magnetic camera examination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Blood sample<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tissue Samples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You may be examined according to a standardized course of care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Treatment for the cancer tumor can be removed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It is important that you are prepared<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Stop smoking before surgery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The surgery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Two weeks in hospital<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Return visit after one month<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Treatment with cytostatics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Life after surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Help with digestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some suffer from diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Different types of help and support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Treatment if the cancer tumor cannot be removed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treatment that can curb the disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Treatments that relieve pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you are in pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Weight loss, nausea, and constipation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Help against weight loss<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Help against nausea<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Helps against constipation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fluid in the stomach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jaundice and itching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Relieving care at home, in hospital or hospice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Getting a cancer message<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You have the right to understand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can get support in several places<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Children also need to know<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Be involved and influence your care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You decide on the care plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
New medical assessment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Support if you are related<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the cause of pancreatic cancer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n