A term used to describe certain tumors which grow in finger-like projections. Pathologists use this term to describe some precancerous lesions in the pancreas intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. An abnormal new growth of tissue that grows more rapidly than normal cells and will continue to grow if not treated. These growths will compete with normal cells for nutrients. This is a general term that can refer to benign or malignant growths.
It is a synonym for the word tumor. A medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of tumors. Oncologists often treat patients with pancreatic cancer with chemotherapy. A surgically created opening in an organ that can also be referred to as an anastamosis. Sometimes when surgeons remove a segment of bowel they create an ostomy to allow for the bowel contents to exit the body.
A cancer that has spread from one organ to another. Pancreas cancer most frequently metastasizes to the liver. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy that is given to patients before surgery. Some centers feel that the use of neoadjuvant therapy improves local and regional control of disease and that it may make more patients surgical candidates. A cancer that has the potential of invading nearby tissues, spreading to other organs metastasizing and possibly leading to the patient's death.
Normal, round, raisin to grape-sized collections of lymphocytes white blood cells found throughout the body. Lymph nodes are connected to each other by lymphatic vessels. They normally help fight infection, but also are one of the first sites to which cancers spread.
In general, the spread of cancer to lymph nodes portends a worse prognosis for the patient. There are exceptions to this. A painless method for visualizing internal organs.
A tube-like machine with a powerful magnet generates images of the inside of the body. It does not involve the use of Xrays. The largest organ in the body, located in the right upper part of the abdomen. It performs many life-maintaining functions including the production of bile.
The liver detoxifies the blood of drugs, alcohol and other harmful chemicals. It processes nutrients absorbed by the intestine and stores essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Bilirubin is a chemical produced when old or damaged blood cells breakdown. The liver chemically process the bilirubin so that it can dissolve in water and be excreted through the urine. When this process is disrupted, jaundice can develop. Removable tissues include some lymph nodes and parts of the duodenum and stomach that are routinely removed in some surgical treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Yellowing of the skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes caused by the accumulation of bile pigments usually due to an obstruction of the bile ducts. A technique that surgeons can use to visualize and even biopsy take tissue samples of organs inside of the abdomen without making large incisions. Very small incisions are made in the belly and small tubes called trocars are then inserted.
Gas is pumped in through one of the tubes to create enough space to work in. The surgeon inserts a small camera through one of the tubes and examines the lining and contents of the abdominal cavity by looking at the projected image on the television screen.
With specially designed laparascopic instruments, biopsies and fluid samples can be taken for examination. Some surgeons feel that this technique can help "stage" a patient less invasively than with open surgery.
A term used to indicate that cancerous cells are present in the duct but have not yet invaded deeper tissues. A hormone produced by the endocrine cells of the islets of Langerhans cells of the pancreas.
Insulin acts to lower blood sugar levels. The widest part of the pancreas. It is found in the right part of abdomen, nestled in the curve of the duodenum, which forms an impression in the side of the pancreas. A hormone produced by the endocrine islets of Langerhans cells of the pancreas. When blood sugar levels are low, glucagon acts to raise blood sugar levels. A green pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the abdomen just under the liver. The gallbladder is essentially a reservoir for holding bile.
Gemzar is the trade name for the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. It is frequently used to treat pancreatic cancer. It has been shown, in controlled clinical trials, to improve quality of life. The exocrine cells acinar cells of the pancreas produce and transport chemicals that will exit the body through the digestive system.
The chemicals that the exocrine cells produce are called enzymes. They are secreted in the duodenum where they assist in the digestion of food. A chemical that causes a reaction in other substances, in this case as a part of the digestive process. A test used to visualize and examine the pancreas and bile ducts. A tube is inserted through a patient's nose or throat , down through the esophagus and stomach then into the small intestine duodenum.
There, a small probe is inserted into the ampulla of Vater. A dye is injected through the probe and into the pancreatic and bile ducts. X-rays are then taken to visualize the pancreatic and bile ducts. Surgical removal of a structure or part of a structure. For example, pancreat ectomy is the surgical removal of the pancreas or a portion of it.
These are specialized cells that produce hormones released into the bloodstream. For example, the islets of Langerhans are endocrine cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin. This hormone helps control blood sugar glucose levels. Some rare tumors of the pancreas, the endocrine Islet Cell tumors, can produce these same hormones.
It is very important that these rare tumors be properly diagnosed because it will determine the treatment and prognosis. The first portion of the small intestine.
It is about 1 foot long. It is the part of the intestinal track that comes after the stomach. A dome shaped muscle that separates the lungs and heart from the abdomen.
This muscle assists in breathing. A small anatomic structure. This is essentially a tube that carries various bodily fluids. The pancreatic duct runs the full length of the pancreas and drains into the duodenum.
The disease in which the body is unable to appropriately control blood sugar glucose levels. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels while glucagon raises blood sugar levels. Together, these two main hormones work to maintain the proper level of sugar in the blood. Pancreatic cancer begins when abnormal cells in the pancreas grow out of control and form a tumor. The symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer are often vague, similar to symptoms caused by other conditions and may not be present in early stages of the disease.
Learn about pancreatic cancer symptoms, types of pancreatic cancer, diagnosis, treatments and more. PanCAN may provide information to you about physicians, products, services, clinical trials or treatments related to pancreatic cancer, but PanCAN does not recommend nor endorse any particular health care resource. Stored constituent information may be used to inform PanCAN programs and activities. Information also may be provided in aggregate or limited formats to third parties to guide future pancreatic cancer research and education efforts.
PanCAN will not provide personal directly identifying information such as your name or contact information to such third parties without your prior written consent unless required or permitted by law to do so. Phone: Toll Free: Fax: Email: info pancan. It increases in severity until it becomes a constant ache.
This pancreas pain is felt in the upper abdomen. The Mayo Clinic noted that the pain can radiate through to the back, and Knowlton pointed out that it might be worse after eating.
Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhea. According to Knowlton, "This patient often looks acutely ill, and requires hospitalization typically for three to five days , intravenous IV hydration, nothing by mouth for bowel rest , pain medication, treatment of underlying conditions, and possibly a radiologic procedure called an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP , which can more specifically target the problem.
It is hard to diagnose pancreatic cancer early. The Mayo Clinic noted that symptoms typically don't occur until the cancer has advanced. Knowlton said, "Unfortunately, symptoms can be vague, but can include abdominal pain, jaundice, severe itching, weight-loss, nausea, vomiting, and digestive problems.
Making matters even more complicated is the pancreas' deep-in-the-abdomen location. The NIH pointed out that as a result, tumors cannot usually be felt by touch.
Because of the difficulty of early diagnosis and the rapidity with which pancreatic cancer spreads, the prognosis is often poor. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, long-term diabetes and chronic pancreatitis, according to the National Cancer Institute. According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer usually begins in the cells that produce pancreatic digestive juices or in the cells that line the ducts. In rare occasions, pancreatic cancer will begin in the cells that produce hormones.
According to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, to diagnose pancreatic cancer, doctors typically conduct physical exams, blood tests, imaging tests, endoscopic ultrasounds and tests and biopsies. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and therapies targeted to attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. When a person's pancreas isn't functioning properly or has to be removed, doctors may replace or supplement it with an artificial pancreas.
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