Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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.

Question 8

pancreatic cancer in your 20s. is this common?

Accepted Answer

Extremely rare: Based on american cancer society statistics, the median age of diagnosis is 72. Risk increases with age - 10% from age 45 to 54, 18% 55 to 64, 28% 65 to 74, 29% 75 to 84. The diagnosis is extremely rare below the age of 40. .5% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were less than 35.

Question 9

what are the factors affecting pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Heredity, smoking: Pancreatic cancer tends to run in families and tobacco increases the risk of pancreatic and other cancers.  Pancreatic cancer is often not detected early and due to lack of specific signs and symptoms.  There is no screening test for pancreatic cancer.  It tends to spread to other organs early and has a high mortality.

Question 10

what is the rate of survival for pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Depends on stage: Median survival 6-7 months. Also depends on response to treatment.

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