Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer of the pancreas show very few symptoms, the symptoms may resemble digestive disorders at benign stage. In most of the cases the cancer remains undiagnosed unless and until it has spread to other near by parts and organs. The appropriate way in examining pancreatic cancer is by knowing the complete medical history of the patient and thorough physical examination. The patient needs to explain bout the intensity and location of the pain etc.

By physical examination any accumulation of fluids, or lumps in the abdomen is checked. Eyes are examined to see any symptoms of jaundice. With blood tests the chances of liver diseases is also checked out.  For detailed condition of the patient CT scan, MRI and ultrasound is done. By this the extent and spread of cancer is detected. Doctor may even perform ERCP which is similar to endoscopy. By this a thorough internal examination of the food pie, stomach and throat is done. And finally biopsy is done of the sample of tumor after removal.

Treatment of pancreatic cancer
The possible treatments available for pancreatic cancer are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery - is done when the cancer is within the pancreas. In surgery a portion or major part is removed, it all depends on the extent of cancer spread. It may happen that the other surrounding parts like the stomach, duodenum may also be effected and also needs to be removed. In this the surgery is performed by the Whipple procedure. Sometimes the cancer cannot be removed surgically in that case a bypass is created in the bile duct.

Radiation therapy- in this high energy rays are sent to destroy the cancer cells. The radiation is given in schedules; this is done to arrest the spread of cancer in the tissues.

Chemotherapy- these are the drugs given to combat cancer and kill cancer cells. The medication may be oral or in form of injection or in combination. This is done in cycles.