Overview
Pancreatic cancer is the cancer affecting the cells of the pancreas. Based on the part of the pancreas affected, the pancreatic cancers are broadly divided into two categories, i.e. Exocrine Pancreatic Cancers and Non-Exocrine Pancreatic Cancers. Determining the stage of pancreas is extremely arduous task. Surgery is required for most of the cases to arrive at appropriate diagnosis as the imaging modalities lack certain details required for diagnosis.
Adequate treatment is rendered only after determining the stages. To know about the stages of pancreatic cancers, scroll below.
Stages of pancreatic cancer.
Knowledge regarding the stage of pancreatic cancer helps in determining the extent of spread of cancer. Buy cancer medicines online at low cost from 3MEDS-best online pharmacy in India.
Stage 0: pancreatic cancer is limited to the superficial layers of cells in the ducts. There is no involvement of lymph node and distant spread. The tumour is not detected in imaging of the cancer and is not visible clinically.
Stage 1: pancreatic cancer is limited within the confines of the pancreas. Tumour size is less than 4 cm in size. No lymph node involvement and distant spread. Tumour growth is local.
Stage 2: pancreatic cancer is either limited to the pancreas or spread beyond the pancreas into the adjacent tissues. Tumour size is more than 4 cm in size. The tumour may involve the lymph nodes. There is no distant metastasis.
Stage 3: tumour has spread to wider extent. Adjacent blood vessels and nerves are invaded by tumour cells. Lymph node is involved. However, there is no distant metastasis.
Stage 4: tumour size is beyond 4 cm in size. The pancreatic cancer involves lymph nodes. Metastasis of distant sites occur. Tumour reach advanced stage.
Types of treatment for pancreatic cancer according to the stage.
Once the stage of the pancreatic cancer is determined which is quite tricky due to the complex nature of the pancreas, your oncologist proceeds with the treatment suitable for the stage.
· Resectable pancreatic cancer (also called potentially curable pancreatic cancer and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer)
· Locally advanced (unresectable)
· Metastatic pancreatic cancer
Resectable pancreatic cancer:
Surgery is recommended if the imaging tests do not show any signs of spread to the nearby areas or the tumour size is small which can be removed without major complications. Different surgical procedures for pancreatic cancer surgery are:
· Whipple procedure: it is the difficult and complicated procedure which involves resection of head or sometimes body of the pancreas, parts of stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, and bile duct, simultaneously creating new way for digestion.
· Distal pancreatectomy: it involves resection of some portion of the pancreas except the head.
· Total pancreatectomy: whole of the pancreas along with spleen is surgically resected.
Surgery of the pancreatic cancer is decided after opening up the pancreas as it is difficult to determine the extent of spread.
Surgery is often accompanied by other treatment protocols before or after the surgery.
Treatment rendered before the surgery is known as neoadjuvant therapy and the treatment rendered after the surgery is known as adjuvant therapy. Neoadjuvant therapy is given to shrink the size of the tumour with the help of chemotherapy and radiation. Adjuvant therapy is given after 4-12 weeks after the surgery to prevent recurrence. 5-flourouracil, capecitabine, gemcitabine are the chemotherapeutic drugs used for pancreatic cancer. Radiation is also subjected to enhance the effects of drugs. These agents cause side effects due to their strong nature. Buy cancer injections at low price from 3MEDS-best medical store online in Delhi.
Locally advanced pancreatic cancer:
In this stage, the cancer has spread and hence, the surgery is useless. Non-surgical therapeutic modules like chemotherapy and radiotherapy are recommended to expand the survival years.
First line therapy involves use of chemotherapeutic drugs like 5-flourouracil, gemcitabine are recommended. Radiotherapy is given after chemotherapy.
Second line therapy involves changing of chemotherapeutic drugs to produce better effects.
If these treatment modalities fail, clinical trials are recommended.
Metastatic pancreatic cancers:
Here, the cancer has spread to other organs and is not cured with surgery alone. Surgery can be performed to provide symptomatic relief along with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
· First line therapy involves administration of chemotherapeutic drugs in combination like FOLFIRINOX.
· Gemitacibine alone or in combination, FOLFOX is given.
· Second line therapy involves fluorouracil alone or in combination, gemitacibine alone or in combination may be offered.
· Pembrolimuzab in MSI-high disease, larotrectinib are offered.
If all the treatments fail, then palliative care or supportive care is recommended to provide symptomatic relief which involves opioid analgesics, antidepressants, etc.
Clinical trials are recommended for every stage of pancreatic cancer.
Outlook:
No matter which stage is diagnosed, do not lose hope. Be positive and embrace the treatment irrespective of the harshness. Engage yourself in hobbies to alleviate depression. To overcome financial issues, buy medicines at discount from 3MEDS-medicine store online India. Talk to your doctor about alternative methods. Do not panic and face boldly.