Symptoms of pancreatic cancer usually do not appear until the cancer is in later stages and are often symptoms seen with other diseases. Those symptoms can be:
The exact causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown. All that is known is that there are several risk factors that make a person more susceptible to the disease.
There are several risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer. Some lifestyle choices can be changed to lower the risk, while others are genetics and unchangeable. Those risk factors are:
Because pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose, your doctor may order a blood test or imaging test to diagnose the issue. An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is one means of diagnosis. A EUS is a thin tube with a camera attached that is inserted into the mouth and down to the stomach. It allows for imaging of pancreatic walls. In some circumstances, a biopsy may be performed to extract a tissue sample for testing.
If your doctor orders a blood test, they are likely looking for a tumor marker to aid in the diagnosis. If there are high levels of a type of protein released by the pancreas detected in the blood, it can indicate that a tumor is present.
There are several options available for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Your doctor will explore these options and find the treatment plan that is best for you. Depending on several factors, your doctor may suggest:
You may also talk to your doctor to see if you are a candidate for clinical trials to test new procedures, drugs, or other therapies.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of pancreatic cancer or fall into a high-risk category, our physicians at Lane Family Practice can assist you with diagnosing and referring you for treatment of your disease. Contact us today to book an appointment so you can start your healing process early.