Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.

Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.

Pancreatic Cancer

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large organ behind the stomach. It releases juices that help the gut absorb food, especially fat, and produces hormones called insulin and glucagon that maintain a normal blood sugar level. Like most cancer types, pancreatic cancer is divided into stages, according to how much it has spread out of the pancreas into the rest of your body.

27 people with Pancreatic Cancer

Learn from others who are experiencing Pancreatic Cancer.

statistic

Signs & symptoms

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early because the symptoms usually appear in late stages of the disease. Signs and symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of your eyes and skin), belly or back pain, diarrhea and weight loss. These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by liver cancer or by other conditions.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. The following tests will be done next: -*Blood tests*- to check for any abnormalities and tumor markers -*Imaging tests* such as *CT scan, Ultrasound, MRI* or a test called *ERCP* -*Biopsy*- a small piece of the abnormal tissues is taken out so it can be viewed under a microscope.

Treatment

There are different types of treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer. The treatment depends on the type of cancer, its stage and your general health -*Surgery* – to remove the cancer -*Chemotherapy*- medication that will kill cancerous cells or stop their growing. -*Radiation therapy*- high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation used to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. -*Targeted therapy*- drugs or other substances that are aimed to attack specific cancer cells.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Alike Wisdom

Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences

You Might Also Like

Yes, some people have tried Saxenda for weight loss. One user reported losing 40 lbs in 4 months and another reported losing 65 lbs, although the time frame was not specified. However, it's important to note that some users were initially scared of the needles, but found them to be tiny and non-invasive. Some users also mentioned potential side effects, including possible thyroid and pancreatic **cancer** mutations in cells.

One person shared their experience saying, "Got my diagnosis 6 months ago. I wanted to know nothing about my prognosis, so I asked my doctor to tell me nothing and I’ve never googled it. I searched for supporting groups of **pancreatic cancer** strugglers and started to chat with other people." Another person suggested, "It has really helped me to research and prepare for all the side effects, treatments, symptoms, home remedies, tips, etc. and then to do my best to prepare for those things and stock up on any supplies I might need whenever I’ve gotten a new diagnosis." They also mentioned that feeling prepared and informed helps them feel confident that they can manage their condition.

Struggling with Medical Prognosis: Seeking Advice

Health concerns and family difficulties

Just Exploring!

My spleen has remained normal throughout but I know they check my spleen every appointment. I know it's common but I'm not sure why. Maybe it depends on the severity of your ESLD? My MELD was 17 at time of diagnosis and is down to a 6 now. My pancreas has benign **lesions** however.

pp-logo

Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.

appStoreBtngooglePlayBtn

© 2020-2024 Alike, Inc