Pancreatic Cancer

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic Cancer is a cancer in the pancreas. A pancreas is a large organ that lies behind the lower part of one’s stomach, and in front of the spine. Pancreatic cancer can spread rapidly and is hardly ever detected in its early states. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer is low for those who are under the age of forty. After diagnosed with the cancer, patients will usually live for about five years. The age from 65-79 has the highest occurrence of pancreatic cancer and is the fifth leading cause of deaths in the United States following other severe cancers. Out of all cancers, pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer don’t appear until the disease is more developed. The symptoms of this disease are tremendously sickening. Some symptoms may include:

- Itching

- Abdominal pain

- Weight loss and loss of appetite

- Vomiting and Nausea

- Yellowing of the skin

- Depression

- Digestive problems

- Dizziness

- Weakness

- Muscle spasms

Treatment and Causes

Pancreatic cancer is hard to treat because the cancer isn’t detected in its early stages, and the pancreas is located behind many organs so it is difficult to see.Many of the symptoms it has are like many other sicknesses that people often get. Some pancreatic cancer’s can be removed by surgery, but it should be recognized what stage it is at. Smoking, health history, and long-term exposure to certain chemicals such as gasoline, may influence the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. To find the cancer, they take many tests and pictures of the pancreas and the area around it. About 3% of patients develop pancreatic cancer due to genetic disorders.

Links:Homepage, Influenza, Sickle Cell Anemia, Mad Cow, Bacterial Endocarditis, Hemophilia, Ebola, Huntington's, Lou Gehrigs, Cardiomyopathy, Pancreatic Cancer, Credits, Team Page, Glossary, Text Only, Activity Page, For a cool brain click here, German translation