How do you get pancreatic cancer?

Answer 1

Pancreatic CancerMost pancreatic tumors originate in the duct cells or in the cells that produce digestive enzymes (acinar cells). These tumors account for nearly 95 percent of pancreatic cancers. When these cells are healthy, they grow and divide in an orderly way. When DNA is damaged in these cells by certain things, cells may begin to grow out of control and eventually form a tumor. What damages DNA in the majority of cases of pancreatic cancer is unknown, but a small percentage of people develop the disease as a result of a genetic predisposition. These people who have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with pancreatic cancer have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer themselves.

Development of other genetic diseases have been associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, including familial adenomatous polyposis, nonpolyposis colon cancer, familial Breast cancer associated with the BRCA2 gene, and hereditary pancreatitis. Only about 10 percent of pancreatic cancers result from an inherited tendency. A greater number are caused by environmental or lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet and chemical exposure. Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than nonsmokers are. This is probably the greatest known risk factor for pancreatic cancer, with smoking associated with almost one in three cases of pancreatic cancer. A diet high in animal fat and low in fruits and vegetables may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer as well.

People who work with petroleum compounds, including gasoline and other chemicals, have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer than people not exposed to these chemicals on a regular basis. Resent research has also shown that chronic, advanced gum disease seem to be associated with development of pancreatic cancer, but by some unknown mechanism.

Answer 2

Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic cancer is a tumor or cancerous cells of the pancreas. Symptoms

A tumor or cancer in the pancreas may often grow without any symptoms at first. This may mean pancreatic cancer is more advanced when it is first found.

Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

• Pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly or abdomen
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Jaundice (a yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or the eyes)
• Dark urine and clay-colored stools
• Fatigue and weakness
• Nausea and vomiting

Other possible symptoms are:

• Back pain
• Blood clots
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty sleeping
• Indigestion

Treatment

Because pancreatic cancer is often advanced when it is first found, very few pancreatic tumors can be removed by surgery. The standard procedure is called a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure).

This surgery should be done at centers that perform the procedure frequently. Some studies suggest that surgery is best performed at hospitals that do more than five of these surgeries per year.

When the tumor has not spread out of the pancreas but cannot be removed, radiation therapy and chemotherapy together may be recommended.

When the tumor has spread (metastasized) to other organs such as the liver, chemotherapy alone is usually used. The standard chemotherapy drug is gemcitabine, but other drugs may be used. Gemcitabine can help approximately 25% of patients.

Patients whose tumor cannot be totally removed, but who have a blockage of the tubes that transport bile (biliary obstruction) must have that blockage relieved. There are generally two approaches to this:

• Surgery
• Placement of a tiny metal tube (biliary stent) during ERCP

Management of pain and other symptoms is an important part of treating advanced pancreatic cancer. Hospice can help with pain and symptom management, and provide psychological support for patients and their families during the illness.

Causes

The pancreas is a large organ that is found behind the stomach. It makes and releases enzymes that help the body absorb foods, especially fats. Hormones called insulin and glucagon are also made in the pancreas. These hormones help your body control blood sugar levels.

The exact cause is unknown, but pancreatic cancer is more common in smokers and people who are obese. Pancreatic cancer is slightly more common in women than in men. The risk increases with age.

A small number of cases are related to genetic syndromes that are passed down through families.

Tests & diagnosis

• CT scan of the abdomen
• MRI of the abdomen
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• Pancreatic biopsy

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

• Liver function tests
• Serum bilirubin
• Complete blood count (CBC)

Prognosis

Some patients with pancreatic cancer that can be surgically removed are cured. However, in more than 80% of patients the tumor has already spread and cannot be completely removed at the time of diagnosis.

Chemotherapy and radiation are often given after surgery to increase the cure rate (this is called adjuvant therapy). For pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed completely with surgery, or cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas, a cure is not possible and the average survival is usually less than 1 year. Such patients should consider enrolling in a clinical trial (a medical research study to determine the best treatment).

Ninety-five percent of the people diagnosed with this cancer will not be alive 5 years later.

Prevention

• If you smoke, stop smoking.
• Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Exercise regularly.

Complications

• Blood clots
• Depression
• Infections
• Liver problems
• Pain
• Weight loss

a canswer that most men get!

Answer 3

The biggest single risk factor is smoking. Up to a third of pancreatic cancers may be caused by smoking. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals called nitrosamines which are known to cause cancer.

Beer also contains nitrosamines, although the level of these has been cut as much as possible. There has been some evidence of a link between heavy drinking and cancer of the pancreas. Drinking is certainly linked to pancreatic disease and this is a risk factor for cancer. Exposure to some industrial chemicals such as beta-naphthalene and benzidine have been linked to pancreatic cancer.

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-------inherited mutations

Answer 4

My sister is only 36 and has pancreatic cancer - we think lead solder may be a factor

The main recognized risk factors for pancreatic cancer include the following:

• Smoking
• Advanced age
• Male sex (The male-to-female ratio of pancreatic cancer is 1.3:1)
• Chronic pancreatitis - Chronic inflammation of the pancreas, usually from excessive alcohol intake or gallstones
• Diabetes mellitus
• Family history of pancreatic cancer

Answer 5

Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach and in front of the spine. The pancreasproduces digestive juices and hormones that regulate blood sugar. Cells called exocrine pancreas cells produce the digestive juices, while cells called endocrine pancreas cells produce the hormones. The majority of pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine cells.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Depression.

• The factors which could put you at risk for developing pancreatic cancer include:

  • Smoking
  • Chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • Inherited conditions (including hereditary pancreatitis)
  • Familial pancreatic cancer syndromes
  • Long-standing diabetes

Answer 6

Approximately one-third of pancreatic cancer cases occur among smokers. People who have diabetes develop pancreatic cancer twice as often as non-diabetics. Numerous studies suggest that a family history of pancreatic cancer is another strong risk factor.

Answer 7

Eating charded meat or well - done meats 3 or more times a week will put you at great risk of pancreatic cancer by 60%. If you are diabetic and you are not taking you insulin and watching your weight and watching what you eat and drink, you will be at great risk of pancreatic cancer. Drinking alcohol 3 or more cups a day will put you at great risk as well. It is nicknamed the silent cancer because a lot of people don't know it until it speeds up and it comes up more often over time.

Answer 8

alcohol use