Question 1

what does pancreatic cancer pain feel like?

Accepted Answer

Highly variable: Each person is different. Much of the early stage of pancreas cancer has no pain. Later stage pancreas cancer can cause a severe boring pain from the mid upper abdomen into the upper back.

Question 2

can you tell me more something positive about having pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Read below: Yes the one thing positive about pancreatic cancer is not to have it!

although there's no proven way to prevent pancreatic cancer, you can take steps to reduce your risk, including
stop smoking
maintain a healthy weight
choose a healthy diet.

Yes it is treatable and curable in its very early stages.

Question 3

could pancreatic cancer cause a tingling type sensation on the left side... sort of under the ribcage? what else could this be?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatic cancer: It would be unusual for pancreatic cancer to cause a tingling sensation especially under the rib cage. Pancreatic cancer pain is usually a steady, boring type pain in the mid-upper abdomen sometimes alleviated by bending forward. Tingling sensations are usually superficial perhaps involving only the skin or a nerve irritation.

Question 4

symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Depends on location: Pancreas is a fish-shaped organ with its head tucked  into the duodenum (c-shaped beginning of small intestine coming off stomach). If tumor blocks bile duct or panc duct, causes abdominal pain, pancreatitis, jaundice. If it's in tail, will cause no symtptoms till very large or spread to other areas. Most common: weight loss, mental status change such as new onset depression.

Question 5

how is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy: Pathology gives the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, 
typically a needle guided biopsy of the pancreatic mass seen at the time of endoscopy a ct-guided biopsy by interventional radiologist is performed.

Question 6

is  the pancreatic cancer hereditary?

Accepted Answer

It may be hereditary: There is some evidence that pancreatic cancer may occur more in some families. Johns hopkins was doing a study on families with pancreatic cancer where by relatives were having very close followup that included ct scanning and surgery if there was suspicion of a developing cancer. I do not know if the study is still ongoing.

Question 7

what is staging for pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Tumor size & spread.: Stage i: the cancer is not touching the major blood vessels near the pancreas.
Stage ii: the cancer extends beyond the pancreas, or the cancer has spread to a nearby lymph node.
Stage iii: the cancer has wrapped around the major blood vessels near the pancreas.
Stage iv: the cancer has spread to other organs.

Surgery is usually not recommended for stage iii or IV tumors, but there are exceptions.

Question 8

what are some signs of pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Pain, weight loss: Symptoms and signs can include pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes traveling to the back, and weight loss. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, can occur. Doctors may be able to detect a tender mass in the abdomen or enlarged lymph nodes. Unfortunately sometimes these symptoms aren't present until later.  Smoking and obesity are 2 important and modifiable risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

Question 9

can teenagers develope pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Not the typical type, that is the aggressive pancreatic adenocarcinoma (although anything can happen). But they can get a type of lymphoma of the pancreas, as well as some other neuroendocrine tumors.

Question 10

what are the stages of pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Posting a link here: The staging is detailed here - http://www.Pancreatica.Org/index.Cfm/faqs.Htm#c2.

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A member asked:

What does pancreatic cancer pain feel like?

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Can you tell me more something positive about having pancreatic cancer?

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Could pancreatic cancer cause a tingling type sensation on the left side... sort of under the ribcage? what else could this be?

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Symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

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How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?

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Is the pancreatic cancer hereditary?

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What is staging for pancreatic cancer?

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What are some signs of pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

Can teenagers develope pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

What are the stages of pancreatic cancer?

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