| No one can catch cancer from another person. | | | | A special x-ray of the blood vessels (angiogram). |
| While it can seldom be explained why one person | | | | X-rays (CT scans), pictures that are created by a |
| gets any type of cancer and another doesn't, it is | | | | computer, that give detailed cross-section images |
| very clear that the disease is not contagious. | | | | of the pancreas. |
| Although research scientists do not know the | | | | Transabdominal ultrasound. This type of ultrasound |
| exact causes of cancer of the pancreas, they are | | | | procedure uses an instrument that sends out |
| always learning some things that can increase a | | | | high-frequency sound waves and is passed over |
| person's chance of getting this disease. Smoking | | | | the abdomen. The sound waves form a picture |
| of any kind is a major risk factor and research | | | | on a screen as they echo off the pancreas. |
| shows that cigarette smokers tend to develop | | | | Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram |
| cancer of the pancreas two to three times more | | | | (ERCP), is a special x-ray procedure of the |
| often than nonsmokers. So by quitting smoking, | | | | common bile duct. For this test, the patient is |
| you will reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer, lung | | | | given some type of sedation as a long, flexible |
| cancer, as well as a number of other diseases. | | | | tube (endoscope) is passed down the patient's |
| What are the specific symptoms of pancreatic | | | | throat, through the stomach and into the small |
| cancer? | | | | intestine. A dye is then injected into the common |
| Pancreatic cancer has been referred to as a silent | | | | bile duct, and x-rays are taken. The endoscope |
| killer mainly because the early stages of | | | | also allows the doctor to obtain tissue samples. |
| pancreatic cancer usually do not cause any | | | | Another relatively new procedure, Endoscopic |
| symptoms. If a tumor happens to block the | | | | ultrasound can be used to diagnose pancreatic |
| common bile duct and prevents the bile from | | | | cancer. For this procedure, an endoscope is |
| passing into the digestive system, both the skin | | | | passed in the same way as for ERCP; however, |
| and whites of the eyes may become jaundiced | | | | at the end of the endoscope is an ultrasound |
| (yellow), and the urine may change color and | | | | probe, which can scan the pancreas for tumors. |
| become darker. | | | | Because the ultrasound probe can be closer to |
| As the tumor continues to grow and spread, pain | | | | the pancreas than with transabdominal ultrasound, |
| usually develops in the area of the upper | | | | it is very possible that the doctor can identify |
| abdomen and can sometimes spread to the back. | | | | small cancers that are within the pancreas. Tissue |
| The pain can become worse after the person | | | | samples can also be obtained through the |
| eats food or lies down. Cancer of the pancreas | | | | endoscope. |
| can also cause other symptoms, such as: nausea, | | | | A biopsy is the only definite way for the doctor |
| loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness. | | | | to determine if cancer is present. In the biopsy, |
| Islet cell cancer (islets of Langerhans) is a rare | | | | the doctor will remove a piece of tissue from the |
| type of pancreatic cancer. It begins in the cells of | | | | pancreas. A pathologist then examines the tissue |
| the pancreas that produce the body's insulin and | | | | sample under a microscope to check for cancer |
| other hormones. | | | | cells. |
| The islet cell cancer may cause the pancreas to | | | | Tissue samples that are obtained with one kind of |
| produce an abundance of insulin or other | | | | biopsy may not give a clear diagnosis, and the |
| hormones and if this happens, the patient may | | | | biopsy may need to be repeated using a different |
| experience a feeling of being weak or dizzy, have | | | | method. |
| chills, muscle spasms, or diarrhea. These | | | | One of the ways to obtain tissue is by using a |
| symptoms can be caused by cancer itself or | | | | long needle that is passed through the skin and |
| from other, less serious problems. If an individual | | | | into the pancreas, hence the name needle biopsy. |
| experiences the symptoms, a doctor should be | | | | Doctors will use either x-rays or ultrasound to |
| consulted as soon as possible. | | | | properly guide the placement of the needle to |
| How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed? | | | | obtain the sample. |
| The accurate diagnosis of pancreatic cancer | | | | A brush biopsy is performed during the ERCP. |
| requires that the doctor does a complete physical | | | | The doctor will insert a very small brush through |
| exam, including lab tests and asks about the | | | | the endoscope into the bile duct and rub off cells |
| patient's personal and family medical history. In | | | | to examine under a microscope. Sometimes, |
| addition to checking the patient's general signs | | | | when a biopsy does not provide an accurate |
| (temperature, pulse, blood pressure), the doctor | | | | indication, a surgeon will perform an operation |
| will usually order a complete blood profile, urine, | | | | called a laparotomy. During this operation, the |
| and stool tests. The doctor may also ask for an | | | | doctor will look at the organs in the abdomen and |
| upper GI series. For the upper GI (gastrointestinal) | | | | can remove tissue samples, if needed from any |
| test, the patient is required to drink a barium | | | | organ. This surgical procedure helps the doctor |
| solution before any x-rays of the upper digestive | | | | determine the stage or extent of the disease. |
| system are taken. The barium will show an outline | | | | This will help the doctor plan the best approach |
| of the pancreas on the x-rays. | | | | for treatment. |
| The doctor may order other tests such as: | | | | |