Typical symptom of pancreatic cancer is diabetes: Doctors

According to global cancer statistics 2002, pancreatic cancer is 13th most common cancer worldwide. It is 11th most common cancers in India, while among the gastrointestinal (GI) tract it is sixth most common, after esophagus, stomach, large intestine, liver, and gallbladder. The cancer of the pancreas has the lowest survival rate because it rarely shows any symptoms during the early stages when it is treatable. 

On the occasion of World Pancreatic Cancer Day, experts emphasise on attention and awareness to help patients fight and survive the disease.

“Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of pancreas, the organ releases enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help manage blood sugar. It is located in abdomen, behind the lower part of stomach,” Dr Aditya Shriya, GI consultant at Narayana Hospital said. “It spreads rapidly to nearby organs. It is seldom detected in its early stages. But typical symptom is diabetes, especially when it occurs with weight loss, jaundice or pain in the upper abdomen that spreads to the back,” he added.

As per estimate by World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, everyday more than 1,250 people worldwide diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 1,184 of them die from the disease. “The lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking put a person at the risk of developing pancreatic cancer,” Dr Amit Sanghi, gastroenterologist at Narayana Hospital said. “Apart from that, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Chronic Pancreatitis are the major causes of pancreatic cancer. Individuals more than 50 years of age are at higher risk than youngsters,” he added.

Pancreas cancer, if detected in earlier stage, can be treated with a surgical procedure known as Whipple. “When the cancer is confined to only the head of the pancreas, the operation removes the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder and the bile duct,” Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, gastroenterologist at Narayana Hospital said. “Other procedure includes total pancreatectomy, removal of the pancreas and distal pancreatectomy removal of pancreas and spleen. At an advance state, chemo and radiation therapy is given. Patients with the fourth stage of disease are given stronger painkillers for back pains, oral enzyme preparation to treat the lack of pancreatic digestive enzymes,” added Dr Sharma.