Why Is Pancreatic Cancer Challenging To Treat?

One of the most feared diseases or medical conditions would be cancer. The big C. With its typical diagnosis on television dramas as the peak of all the diseases you would not like to have, this disease develops certain anxiety that, according to a study, emanated from the viewpoint that cancers are the vicious, unpredictable, indestructible enemy. With the rise of new technology, certain treatments for the condition is done by experts to make an individual cancer-free.

(Photo: Oberholster Venita)
November is the Pancreatic Awareness Month

ALSO READ: Baking Soda for Cancer Treatment? Here's What You Need to Know

However, some of the cancers are very difficult to treat, such as pancreatic cancer. Also known as pancreatic adenocarcinoma, Mayo Clinic said that this is one of the deadliest cancers, and even with aggressive treatment, prediction of the disease is poor. According to the American Cancer Society, about 57 600 people in the United States have pancreatic cancer this year. They added that pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

What is pancreatic cancer?

According to Mayo Clinic, pancreatic cancer begins in the tissue of the pancreas. National Cancer Institute says malignant cells start to form in the said organ, which is vital in the digestive system for its juice that aids in breaking down food and make hormones such as insulin and glucagon that control blood sugar levels. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network said that malignant tumors that originated in the pancreas are called still called pancreatic cancer even if they spread to other parts of the body.

Difficulty in Treatment

According to the Mayo Clinic, early detection of the disease is uncommon among pancreatic cancer patients. They added that only a few pancreatic cancers are found during the early stage of the disease when the cancerous cells can be surgically removed. They added that there are no effective diagnostic tests or effective screening for pancreatic cancer. Mayo clinic also said that pancreatic cancer spread quickly. With the location where the pancreas resides, it makes cancer spread easier. They further said that pancreatic cancer typically spreads on the nearby organs such as the liver, intestines, and gall bladder. Mayo Clinic also stressed that even after tumors were removed, pancreatic cancers often return.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Mayo Clinic notes that symptoms do not often occur until the disease is advanced, which means that it is rarely detected in the early stages when it is most curable. Medicine Net mentioned that in some cases, jaundice or yellow discoloration of the skin and white of the eyes without pain could be an early sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer. They added that some symptoms such as nausea, dark urine, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck could occur.

Complications and risk

According to the Mayo Clinic, pancreatic cancer complications are weight loss because nausea and vomiting may make it difficult to eat for the patient. In some cases, bowel obstruction may also occur as well as pain caused by growing tumors. They added that people who smoke, have diabetes, have chronic inflammation of the pancreas, family history, older age, and obesity risk getting the disease.

Check out more news and information on Cancer on MD News Daily.