Treatment for Pancreas Cancer

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Pancreatic cancer is the common type of gastrointestinal cancer. If diagnosed in the early stage, it can be treated with various treatment options. Read on to know about the treatment for pancreas cancer.

Pancreas is one of the important organs of the digestive system, which is located adjacent to the small intestine behind the stomach in the upper part of the abdomen. The main function of pancreas is to produce certain enzymes, required for the digestion process. It produces the hormone insulin that controls blood glucose levels. Pancreatic cancer results from uncontrolled growth of malignant cells. There are two types of pancreatic cancer; exocrine pancreatic cancer or adenocarcinoma and islet cell pancreatic cancer or endocrine cancer. Pancreatic cancer usually spreads very rapidly through the lymphatic system to other organs such as lungs, liver, bones etc. It is rarely detected in its early stage. That’s why it is one of the leading causes of cancer death. It is reported that approximately 30,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States.

Certain factors such as obesity, smoking, chronic pancreatitis, long-term diabetes, age, gender, family history and certain hereditary disorders such as hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, hereditary pancreatitis and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer usually appear in the advanced stage of the disease. No symptoms appear in the early stage of cancer and hence, pancreatic cancer is referred to as a silent disease. Some common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in the upper abdomen and in the back, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss and weakness. Pancreatic cancer can also cause jaundice, digestive problems and muscle spasms, dizziness and diarrhea due to excessive production of insulin.

How Is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?

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An accurate diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in the early stage is very essential in order to seek immediate medical treatment. Certain tests and investigations are carried out to diagnose pancreas cancer including blood tests such as determination of levels of serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and certain imaging tests such as ultrasound, MRI scan, CT scan, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Stages of Pancreas Cancer

Once pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, staging of the cancer is done with the help of X-ray, CT scan, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and bone scan. Pancreatic cancer can be staged in three broad categories such as respectable, locally advanced and metastatic. Staging of pancreatic cancer can be done in a different way such as stage 0, stage I to stage IV. In stage 0, abnormal cells can be found in the pancreatic lining. This condition is also known as carcinoma in situ. In stage I, cancer is developed and found in the pancreas only. In stage II, cancer may spread to nearby organs and lymph nodes. In stage III, cancer may spread to major blood vessels and nearby lymph nodes. In stage IV, cancer may spread to other distant organs such as lungs, liver and peritoneal cavity.

Treatment for Pancreas Cancer

Treatment for pancreas cancer is decided depending upon the location and stage of the cancer. The treatment option is selected on the basis of age and overall health of the patient and patient’s personal preference. Cancer treatment is aimed at removing the cancer when possible or preventing further growth of the cancer causing more harm. If pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in its advanced stage and any treatment option to remove the cancer is not possible, then treatment is given to reduce the symptoms and increase the comfort level of the patient. Various treatment options for pancreatic cancer include medications, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted drug therapy. Locally advanced pancreatic cancer can be treated with a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy or with chemotherapy only. Chemotherapy is the fundamental treatment for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Surgery: Complete removal of cancer with surgery is the only way to cure pancreatic cancer. The localized pancreatic cancer can be removed with surgery and hence considered as resectable cancer. If cancer has spread to other organs, blood vessels or lymph nodes, then surgery cannot be a treatment option. In case of resectable cancer, surgery is carried out to remove tumors in the pancreatic head or tumors in the pancreatic body and tail.

When pancreatic cancer is developed in the pancreatic head, a Whipple procedure or pancreatoduodenectomy is recommended. This surgery involves removal of pancreatic head, duodenum (a portion of small intestine) as well as gallbladder and part of bile duct. It may involve removal of a part of the stomach as well. There may be a risk of bleeding and infection. Some people with Whipple surgery may experience vomiting, nausea and temporary diabetes. Distal pancreatectomy is performed to remove the tail or the tail and a small portion of body of the pancreas. There may also be the removal of the spleen.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of various drugs to kill the malignant cells. In this therapy, drugs can be taken orally or injected intravenously. Chemotherapy can be combined with radiation therapy, known as chemoradiation. It can be used to treat pancreatic cancer, which has spread only to nearby organs, but not involving distant organs. In case of advanced pancreas cancer, chemotherapy can be used in combination with targeted drug therapy.

Targeted Drug Therapy: This therapy involves the use of drugs that target certain abnormalities in the cancer cells. Erlotinib is one of the targeted drugs, which prevents the chemicals that promote growth and division of cancer cells.

Medications: Certain chemotherapy drugs can be used as a part of pancreatic cancer treatment. Gemcitabine is used to treat metastatic pancreatic cancer, which directly targets malignant cells. Fluorouracil is given intravenously in combination with radiation therapy. Capecitabine is taken orally and generally used with radiation therapy. Some drugs such as cetuximab ,bevacizumab and vatalanib are used in combination with gemcitabine. Pancrelipase is recommended to improve pancreatic function after the surgical removal of the affected portion of pancreas. A variety of pain relievers can be used to control pain and discomfort.

Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy focuses on killing the cancer cells to minimize the risk of returning or spreading of cancer and treating the tumors that are not surgically removed. Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy beams in order to destroy malignant cells. Radiation therapy can be given in combination with chemotherapy before or after surgery. Radiation therapy is typically given 5 days a week for about 6 weeks. Some side effects of this therapy are diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue and skin irritation.

Biological Therapy: It is also called as Biological Response Modifier (BRM) therapy or immunotherapy. It involves the use of a patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Body’s natural defenses are restored or promoted by using the substances that are made in the laboratory or made by the body.

Clinical Trial: Clinical trial involves the study of new drugs, new radiation treatments or new approaches to surgery. Some advanced treatments that are currently under investigation in clinical trials include the use of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors to stop cancer growth by preventing the cancer cells to use new blood vessels. Pancreatic cancer vaccines can be used to enhance the immune system and promote it to attack a specific protein secreted by cancer cells.

Although, these treatment options are helpful in reducing the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, it is better to adopt some preventive measures. You can minimize the risk of pancreatic cancer by maintaining a healthy body weight, having a nutritious, healthy diet and regular exercises and by stopping unhealthy habits like smoking. After all, prevention is always better than cure, isn’t it?

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By Reshma Jirage

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Brain Tumor

A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of cell growth that occurs in the brain. Read more about it here.

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When there is a growth of an abnormal mass of cells, or tissue, in the brain, it is referred to as a brain tumor. Brain tumors are generally classified as primary or secondary. A primary brain tumor is the type that develops in the brain itself and can either be malignant or benign. A secondary brain tumor, on the other hand, is the type that begins in another part of the body and spreads to the brain. Secondary brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors.

Brain tumors that are benign usually grow more slowly, can be removed more easily, according to where they are located, and the probability of them recurring is lower compared to cancerous brain tumors. Also, non-cancerous tumors do not affect the surrounding tissues; however, their growth can result in pressure being applied to sensitive parts of the brain.

Cancerous brain tumors usually grow faster and destroy or invade the surrounding tissues of the brain. Nevertheless, unlike the cancers that grow in other parts of the body, primary cancerous brain tumors usually do not spread to the other parts of the body.

Although it can be a challenge to treat brain tumors, these days with better technology and advanced methods of treatment, physicians have been successfully treating several kinds of brain tumors.

What are the Indications of Brain Tumors?

The location, type, and size of the brain tumor are determining factors of its symptoms. The symptoms may occur due to the tumor damaging a certain part of the brain or pressing against a nerve. The tumor could also cause the build up of fluids in the cranium or lead to the swelling of the brain.

The following are some of the indications of a brain tumor:

• Headaches, which generally worsens in the morning.
• Changes in hearing, vision, or speech.
• Memory problems.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Changes in the ability to concentrate, personality, or mood.
• Problems in walking or balancing.
• Tingling or numbness in the limbs.
• Convulsions or seizures of muscles.

None of these indications are of course sure signs of the occurrence of a brain tumor, because they could be signs of other conditions too. Hence, if these symptoms should occur it is advisable to consult a doctor as fast as possible in order to get it diagnosed and get the problem treated.

Treatment Options for Brain Tumor

There are various types of treatment options for those affected with brain tumor, according to the stage and the type of the tumor, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. Sometimes, a combination of these treatments may be provided.

Usually, surgery is the treatment option that is chosen for most brain tumors. The surgical procedure that involves the opening of the skull is referred to as craniotomy, wherein general anesthesia is used. Plus, pain control treatment will be provided at all stages of the disease. Also, treatment will be provided for alleviating the side effects of the therapy as well as to mitigate emotional problems. These treatments are known as palliative care, supportive care, or symptom management. It is best to discuss with the doctor about which type of treatment to opt for and what the results will be.

By Rita Putatunda

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