Pancreatic Cancer

There are two significant main types of pancreatic cancer which include:

• Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer: It is the most common type and more than 95% of cases are reported. It occurs in the exocrine cells responsible to produce digestive enzymes. Most exocrine pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas. 
• Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer: It is a rare type and only 5% of cases are reported. It occurs in the endocrine cells, referred to as islet cells responsible for producing hormones like glucagon and insulin. 

It is essential to note that initially, it is difficult to notice any early signs of pancreatic cancer. They are often detected in its last stage or when it progresses. The most common pancreatic cancer symptoms which can be experienced by a patient are: 

• Jaundice 
• Gas 
• Itchy skin
• Blood clots 
• New-onset diabetes 
• Abdominal or back pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Digestive problems

Pancreatic cancer causes aren’t fully understood yet, but there are certain risk factors that enhance the risk of developing this condition. These risk factors are: 

• Age: The condition increases with age and people over 60 might experience it often
• Smoking: It is one of the primary risk factors for pancreatic cancer 
• Family history- High risk of passing the condition to the coming generations 
• Obesity: People who are obese are at the risk of developing pancreatic cancer 
• Chronic pancreatitis: Pancreas inflammation for a long period can increase the risk

There are certain steps that are followed by a healthcare professional to confirm a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Here are these steps: 

• Medical history and physical examination: This step involves becoming familiar with the symptoms, medical history, and risk factors linked to medical history. 
• Imaging tests: In this step, imaging tests like ultrasound, magnetic resource imaging test (MRI), computed tomography (CT scan), and positron emission tomography (PET scan) are involved. 
• Blood tests: It helps in indicating pancreatic cancer and involves CA19-9 and CEA or carcinoembryonic antigen testing. 
• Biopsy: If imaging tests detect the presence of pancreatic cells, a biopsy is initiated to confirm the diagnosis with different methods such as fine-needle aspiration, surgical biopsy, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy.

Pancreatic cancer treatment depends on various factors such as cancer stage, tumour location, patient’s overall health, and preferences of an individual. The main treatment approach followed to treat pancreatic cancer include: 

• Surgery: Surgical intervention is one of the best treatment approaches for pancreatic cancer. It involves procedures like Whipple, distal pancreatectomy, and total pancreatectomy. 
• Radiation therapy: This method is opted for as it helps in shrinking the tumour with the use of high-energy X-rays and destroys remaining cancerous cells improving the quality of life.
• Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer drugs are involved orally for killing cancerous cells or averting their proliferation. It is used before surgery to shrink the tumour and remove any remaining cancerous cells. 
• Targeted therapy: There are medications used for targeting specific anomalies or genetic mutations discovered in pancreatic cancerous cells. It is often used along with chemotherapy.

The Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI) is one of the largest multispecialty hospitals in Kolkata. Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, revolutionizing the healthcare industry for the best surgical outcomes. 

In addition, CMRI has several eminent specialists, doctors, and healthcare providers of national and international reputations for comprehensive and personalized treatment. CMRI provides patient-centric care and empathy from internationally trained nurses to ensure holistic care for patients seeking treatment for pancreatic cancer. Here are a few advantages of choosing CMRI: 

• Highly qualified and experienced doctors
• 440-bed capacity along with cutting-edge technology and the latest medical equipment
• Hygienic and patient-friendly infrastructure
• Thorough screening and diagnosis
• Transparent Pricing Structure for cost-effective treatment
• Patient-centric, high-quality care for a high success rate
• Pain management and palliative care
• Complete and coordinated care for patients with all types of cancers.