Pancreatic cancer
Disease information
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
.
Uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the pancreas. In the
U
. S. is the 4th leading cause of death from
cancer
.
The pancreas, an organ at the back of the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes for
intestinal
digestion of food and
insulin
to control blood sugar.
More men than women, between 35 and 70 years.
Causes.
Unknown.
Signs and symptoms.
Depression
.
Rapid
weight
loss, for no apparent reason.
Pain behind the upper abdomen, which is often calm to lean forward.
Blood clots anywhere in the body, especially his arms and legs. It is often an early symptom.
Jaundice (
yellow
skin and eyes) by blocking the bile ducts. Often jaundice is accompanied by severe itching.
Risk Factors.
Chronic
pancreatitis.
Diabetes mellitus
.
Genetic
factors.
This is more
common
in blacks than whites.
Snuff.
Excessive consumption of
alcohol
.
Geographical location.
The incidence is higher in Israel, the EE. UU.
A
. Sweden and
Canada
.
Poor diet, especially diets high in fat,
protein
and processed food with lots of additives.
Exposure to industrial chemicals, including urea, the naphthalene or benzedrina.
Prevention.
You can not prevent. To reduce the risk:
Do not smoke.
Do not drink more than 1 to 2
alcoholic
drinks
a
day.
Eat more
chicken
, fish, fresh fruits and
vegetables
and less
red
meat, processed foods or any fat.
Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals.
Diagnosis and Treatment.
Health
precautions.
Medical treatment.
Psychotherapy or counseling to help you live with an incurable
disease
.
Chemotherapy and / or
radiation
therapy.
Surgery for:
Remove the tumor, where it is small.
Mitigate any pressure in the bile ducts.
Mitigate or avoid obstructions in the
bladder
.
General measures.
There are no
specific
instructions except those already mentioned above.
Medication.
Your
doctor
may prescribe:
Antibiotics for
infections
.
Analgesics.
Anticancer drugs.
Pancreatic
enzymes to replace the pancreas can no longer produce.
Sedatives to sleep.
Activity
.
Stay as active as you can.
Diet.
No special diet.
Diagnostic Systems.
Observing the symptoms.
History and physical examination by
a
doctor
.
Chemical analysis of the blood of the pancreas,
liver
and gallbladder and testing of blood sugar.
Liver
biopsy puncture.
Exploratory abdominal surgery (laparotomy)
X - rays of the abdomen,
liver
, gallbladder and blood vessels (angiography)
Ultrasonography pancreas.
CT of the pancreas.
Complications.
Bleeding
in the
intestinal
tract.
Infection
in the pancreas.
Extension of
cancer
to the
liver
, lungs and other abdominal organs.
Forecast.
This
disease
is considered incurable. There is little
chance
of survival beyond 1 or 2 years, although the symptoms may be relieved or controlled.
They continue scientific research into the causes and treatment, and there are hopes of finding treatment and cure.
Call the
doctor
if.
The following occurs during treatment:
Fever and
headache
.
Muscle
pain and fatigue.
Nausea and vomiting.
Acute abdominal pain and inflammation.
Depositions black tar.
New unexplained symptoms arise. The medication used in treatment can cause side effects.
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