Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in Indore

Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: General.

Pancreatic cancer refers to a cancerous growth that occurs in the pancreatic tissues, which is an organ found behind the stomach and secretes digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin. Pancreatic cancer is known as a silent killer, as in the early stages of development, the disease has minimal signs and symptoms that are hard to identify. Treatment is aimed at destroying or destroying cancerous cells, preventing their spread, or improving the quality of life.

🔹 Types of Pancreatic Cancer

The type of pancreatic cancer is reported: it determines the form of the treatment plan.

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma- more dominant (~85%), grows from exocrine cells.

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (PNETs) - these are less common, and they are formed on the foundation of cells that produce hormones.

Other rare types - cystic tumours and acinar cell carcinoma.

🔹 Risk Factors

The predisposing factors that predispose to pancreatic cancer are:

Age over 60

Smoking and tobacco use

Family cancer (pancreatic or otherwise).

Chronic pancreatitis

Diabetes and obesity

Genetic mutations (e.g. BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, Lynch syndrome)

🔹 Symptoms

The symptoms are not quite obvious, particularly at the earlier stages; the sooner the better. They may include:

Upper abdominal or back pain

Jaundice (yellowness of eyes and skin)

Unaccountable loss of weight and loss of appetite.

Nausea and vomiting

Fatigue and weakness

The change of the stool or urine colour.

New-onset diabetes

🔹 Diagnosis

Diagnosis is a mix of tests: imaging, lab tests, and tissue tests.

Imaging CT scan, MRI, PET scan and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Blood tests: CA 19-9 tumour marker

Biopsy: Fine needle Biopsy/surgery to determine the type of cancer.

Genetic testing: This is administered in order to establish mutations with the purpose of guiding targeted treatment.

🔹 Treatment Options

The treatment is also dependent on the kind of tumour, size, location, stage and the health of a patient. Multimodal modalities tend to be used.

1. Surgery

The most appropriate decision in an illness at an early age.

Types include:

Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) -excision of the head of the pancreas, small intestine segment, gallbladder and bile duct.

Distal pancreatectomy entails the excision of the body and tail of the pancreas.

Complete pancreatectomy- removes all the pancreas (uncommon)

Normally administered along with chemotherapy, before surgery or after surgery.

2. Chemotherapy

Uses anti-cancer drugs to get rid of the cancer cells or shrink cancer tumours.

It is used in both adjuvant treatment (following surgery) and in end-stage palliative care.

The most used drugs include: Gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX (combinational therapy) and Capecitabine.

3. Radiation Therapy

High-energy radiation is used to attack cancer cells.

May can be administered as a mono-therapy agent or chemotherapy (chemotheradiation).

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) is a method that is precise in targeting.

4. Targeted Therapy

Attack of cancer cells by means of molecular pathways.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma Erlotinib.

They are normally administered in conjunction with chemotherapy.

5. Immunotherapy

Helps the body to recognise and destroy the cancerous cells with the help of the immune system.

Typically used in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours or any individual under a clinical trial.

6. Palliative Care

Focuses on symptom management, including pain management and nutrition and emotional support.

Improve the quality of life in the advanced or otherwise incurable stages.

🔹 Prognosis

Surgery and adjuvant therapy are better used to cure at an early stage (localised) pancreatic cancer.

The advanced or later disease has low survival rates.

The treatment depends on the stage of the tumour, type, health of the patient and timely treatment.

Speciality Cancer Centres: 9 Reasons to visit.

Multidisciplinary teams: Surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, gastroenterologists and supportive care specialists.

Minimally invasive surgery and state-of-the-art imaging.

Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and clinical trial.

Independent treatment schemes based on the principle of genetic examination and tumour characteristics.

Prevention and Increased Attentiveness.

Stop smoking and limit the consumption of alcohol.

Eat healthy and have a normal weight.

Regular medical examinations of the high-risk individuals.

Abdominal pain that has no cause, jaundice, or weight loss is prematurely diagnosed.