What is pancreatic cancer?
The cancer affecting the pancreatic cells is known as Pancreatic Cancer. Based on the type of cells, it can either be exocrine pancreatic cancer or non-exocrine pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is known to produce several hormones and digestive enzymes. Insulin and glucagon are the most important hormones produced by pancreas. Cancer of the pancreas will result in disturbance of these hormones and enzymes along with other symptoms.
The most common among the pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Based on the severity of the tumour, the treatment of the pancreatic cancer is rendered. The treatment varies with each type of pancreatic cancer. Depending on the biology of the affected pancreatic cell, the treatment varies and hence, careful diagnosis of the type of pancreatic cancer is important. Molecular profiling is recommended to understand the biology of the pancreatic cancer. Buy Generic anti-cancer medicines at low cost Delhi, from 3MEDS.
To know more about different types and treatment of pancreatic cancer, scroll below.
Types of pancreatic cancer:
There are several types of pancreatic cancer. The vast majority of them are adenocarcinoma of pancreas which constitutes for 95% of total pancreatic cancers.
Broadly, the pancreatic cancers are divided into two major groups, i.e. exocrine pancreatic cancer and non-exocrine or neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer.
Exocrine (non-endocrine) pancreatic cancer:
These type of cancer arise in the exocrine cells of the pancreas, which forms the exocrine gland and ducts of the pancreas. The exocrine gland is involved in discharging digestive enzymes which help to breakdown carbohydrates, proteins, fat, and acids in the duodenum.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma:
Carcinoma arising in ducts of the glands is known as adenocarcinoma. As the organ involved here is pancreas; it is known as pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It is also known as ductal carcinoma. The lining of the ducts of the pancreas is affected in this cancer. It forms 90% of the adenocarcinomas.
The cancer arising in the pancreatic cells which produce pancreatic enzymes is called acinar cell carcinoma which constitutes 1-2% of the exocrine cancers. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, skin rashes, joint pain, and jaundice. However, jaundice is uncommon for acinar cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas:
It is one of the extremely rare form of cancer affecting the pancreas. Here, the lining of the ducts is lined by squamous cells which is not native of pancreas. Often, the cases are diagnosed after metastasis which results in poor prognosis.
Adenosquamous carcinoma:
It is also the rarest of the pancreatic cancer. It is the aggressive version of adenocarcinoma and has features of both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The prognosis is poorer for adenosquamous carcinoma and represent 1-4% of exocrine cancers.
Colloid carcinoma:
Colloid carcinoma tends to develop from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), a form of benign cyst. It constitutes 1-3% of exocrine cancers. This cancer has better prognosis due to its benign nature, as it consists of malignant cells floating in a gelatinous mucin.
Mucinous cystic neoplasm with an invasive adenocarcinoma:
It is rare and is found in just one part of the pancreas, i.e. tail of the pancreas. It resembles that of IPMN wherein the cyst is filled with fluid. It is cancerous due to the presence of invasive adenocarcinoma and is common in women.
Non-exocrine (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours) PNET:
These are also known as islets cells tumours. The islets cells of Langerhans are responsible for secreting hormones which regulate blood sugar levels. It constitutes about 5% of the pancreatic cancer. These cancers originate in the endocrine cells of the gland and is rare. The PNET can be functional or non-functional based on the production of hormones.
These are classified based on the hormones produced by them:
Gastrinoma: arises in gastrin-producing cells.
Insulinoma: arises in insulin producing cells.
Glucagonoma: arises in glucagon producing cells.
Somatostainoma: arises in somatostatin producing cells.
VIPoma: arises in vasoactive intestinal peptide producing cells.
Non-functional Islet cell tumour: it doesn’t produce any hormones.
The Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer:
It is arrived by careful medical and physical examination, blood tests, various laboratory tests, various scans, biopsy of the tumour.
Treatments of the pancreatic cancer:
Surgery:
The surgery of the pancreatic cancer involves removal of either a part or whole of pancreas along with a little healthy tissue around the tumour which is known as margin. It can be combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy after the surgery which is known as adjuvant therapy. Administration of chemotherapeutic drugs and radiotherapy before surgery is suggested to shrink the size of tumour which is known as neoadjuvant therapy. Order Cancer medicines in Delhi at cheapest price from 3MEDS.
Radiotherapy:
It involves subjection of high-intensity beam of radiation to destroy the cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy is the most commonly recommended radiotherapy for pancreatic cancers. Different ways of radiation therapy are as follows:
· Tradition radiation therapy
· Stereotactic body radiation (SBRT) or cyberknife
· Proton beam therapy
Radiotherapy is often combined with chemotherapy which is known as radiosenstization. It is done to enhance the effects of radiation on cancer cells.
Chemotherapy:
It involves the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs systemically into the body according to the scheduled regime. The regime may consist of single drug or combination of various drugs. Capecitabine, erlotinib, irinotecan, leucovorin are some drugs used. Buy prescription cancer medicines online from 3MEDS.
Targeted therapy:
It involves administration of drugs to counter the specific targets of the cancer cells. It can be proteins, genes, or other factor. Destruction of these results in limiting the damage to the surrounding tissue. Some approved drugs for targeted therapy are erlotinib, Olaparib, larotrectinib.
Immunotherapy:
It is aimed at improving the immune system of the body to fight off the cancer cells. Pembrolizumab, immune checkpoint inhibitor is used for treating pancreatic cancer.
Outlook:
Pancreatic cancer can be cured if diagnosed in earlier stages. Advanced cancer are difficult to treat. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor at earliest. Discuss appropriate and alternative treatment strategies according to your condition.
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