Pancreatic cancer, a fatal disease, starts in the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach that helps with digestion and blood sugar control. It happens when cells in the pancreas grow out of control, forming a tumor. The most common type affects the ducts that carry digestive juices. 

This cancer is hard to find early because symptoms appear later. Understanding the importance of early diagnosis can make a big difference in fighting this condition. You can detect it only when you know everything about pancreatic cancer. So, let us learn more!

How Pancreatic Cancer Occurs?

Every organ, including the pancreas, is made up of cells. Cells normally divide to make new cells as the body wants them, but what happens when things are not right? Cells die, and the new ones take over.

This process breaks sometimes. The body creates new cells even when they are not needed, or old cells do not die. The extra cells may become a mass of tissue called a tumor. Some tumors are non-cancerous. They are abnormal but cannot invade the body to other parts.

Cancer is a malignant tumor. The cells grow uncontrollably and can travel to other tissues and organs. If cancer starts in the pancreas, it is still called pancreatic cancer, even if it spreads to other parts of the body. In many cases, pancreatic cancer will spread to the liver, abdominal wall, lungs, bones, or lymph nodes.

How Common Is Pancreatic Cancer?

In 2024, more than 66,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. That’s 180 people a day who are being diagnosed.

The disease, which is the 10th most common cancer in the country, affects men and women of all races and ethnic groups.

How Many Types of Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is of two types;

Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer

It is the most common type, accounting for about 95% of all pancreatic cancer cases. It begins in the exocrine cells responsible for producing digestive enzymes. The most common form of exocrine pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which starts in the ducts of the pancreas.

Endocrine Pancreatic Cancer

This type is less common and occurs in the hormone-producing pancreas cells, known as islet cells. It includes tumors such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), which can be benign or malignant. These cancers often produce hormones like insulin and glucagon, leading to different symptoms.

Each type has its characteristics, treatment options, and prognosis.

What Are the Causes of Pancreatic Cancer?

Cancer occurs after changes in your DNA. It can be inherited or can happen over time. You are exposed to something harmful, and these things can change over time. However, they can also happen randomly.

The exact causes of pancreatic cancer still are not known. Familial or hereditary pancreatic cancers are about 10% of cases. The majority of pancreatic cancer occurs randomly or because of external factors.

But the leading causes of pancreatic cancer are;

• Smoking

• Type 2 Diabetes

• Chronic Pancreatitis

• Family History of Pancreatic Cancer

• Older Age

• Obesity

• Heavy Alcohol Consumption

• Genetic Mutations

• Dietary Factors

• Exposure to Certain Chemicals

While some of these factors are beyond your control, having a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer.

What Are Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer often presents with unclear symptoms that can be mistaken for other conditions. Here are some common signs you should be aware of;

• Gallbladder or Liver Enlargement

• Blood Clots

• Itchy Skin

• Indigestion

• New-Onset Diabetes

• Fatigue

• Yellowing of skin

• White eyes

• Pale Stools

• Dark Urine

If you continuously face these symptoms, you must consult a healthcare professional for evaluation.

Why Is Pancreatic Cancer Difficult to Detect?

In most cases, doctors cannot see or feel the tumor during a physical exam because it is deep in the abdomen. Pancreatic cancer symptoms also do not always come on and are not always clear.

There are several tests doctors can use to make a diagnosis. However, there is no standard test for pancreatic cancer. As a result, diagnosis becomes even trickier. Most doctors may check for pancreatic cancer with some simple tests as given below;

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) 

During the test, an endoscope is put into your body through your mouth and down into your stomach. It is then placed into the bile ducts. A special dye is put into the tubes, and an X-ray is taken to see if there is a blockage. If a tumor blocks the tubes, a tiny tube may be placed to keep the duct open. 

CT Scan

This test uses special X-rays to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body. Sometimes, a dye is used to make the pictures clearer. It helps doctors see the pancreas and other organs in 3D.

PET Scan

A small amount of radioactive sugar goes into your body. Cancer cells need more sugar than normal cells, so the test helps find cancer by showing where the sugar goes. Sometimes, PET and CT scans are done together for clearer pictures.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

A thin tube with a camera is inserted into your body through your mouth or bottom. It sends sound waves through your body to create pictures of your organs, which helps doctors see your pancreas closely.

Abdominal Ultrasound

This test uses sound waves to give pictures of your belly. A small device is pressed on your skin, and the sound waves bounce off your organs to make clear images.

These tests help doctors look inside your body to check for any problems with your pancreas.

Wrapping Up!

In summing up, pancreatic cancer is a disease that you can never ignore. It can also lead to mortalities. So, pancreatic cancer is a serious topic. Our article does a great job of explaining pancreatic cancer clearly. It helps you learn about every point about such harmful cancer. 

Research is still ongoing to find better ways to detect and treat it. Even though it is a very serious illness, scientists are working hard to improve survival rates and treatments