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Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach that helps with digestion and blood sugar control. It is often difficult to detect early because symptoms may not appear until the disease has advanced.
Common Symptoms
- Upper abdominal pain that may spread to the back
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dark urine and pale stools
- New-onset diabetes or worsening diabetes
Diagnosis
Doctors may use several tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer:
- Physical examination and medical history
- Blood tests and tumor markers
- Ultrasound
- CT scan or MRI
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
- Biopsy to confirm cancer cells
Treatments
Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer:
- Surgery (such as the Whipple procedure)
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy in selected cases
- Palliative care to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life