Pancreas is the gland in the lower part of the abdomen near the belly button. The pancreatic gland is responsible for producing as well as excreeting insulin that regulates blood sugar and enzymes that break down protien and fat. Pancreatic cancer develops when uncontrolled cell growth begins in a part of the pancreas. The best part about pancreatic cancer treatment in India is that it is very well treatable in the early stages and the bad part is that it is generally not detected in early stage. Pancreatic cancer or cancer of pancreas is different from pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is just the inflamation in the pancreas caused mainly by excessive usage of alcohol.

Causes

Causes of cancer of pancreas is same as that of other cancers. The main reason is the DNA mutation. However there are few other factors that can contribute to higher chances of getting pancreatic cancer. These include:

Smoking

Diabetes

Obesity

Excessive alcohol intake

Eating more red meat and less vegetables & fruits

Chronic pancreatitis

As mentioned earlier symptoms of pancreatic cancer are not seen until it has advanced. Following are some of the most common symptoms that patient comes with at Livcure Centre in India:

Abdominal pain radiating to back which may be confused with kidney stones

Loss of apetite along with unexplained weight loss

Jaundice

Light colored stool and dark colored urine

Blood clots

New diagnosis of diabetes

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in India like any other disease starts with consultation with the GI Cancer surgeon or a gastroenterologist. After examination the doctor in India may advise investigations including imaging and blood tests.

MRCP - It is one of the most important and the best diagnostic modality to diagnose the pancreatic cancer

Contrast enhanced CT Scan of the abdomen or a triple phase liver CT scan can also be advised

Ca 19-9 blood test

Biopsy

PET CT Scan for staging of cancer

Treatment of pancreatic cancer is difficult because of two reasons. One it is diagnosed late which leads to spread and secondly the surgical management needs special surgeon and best technology to perform it as it is an extensive surgery. As such treatment for pancreatic cancer in India depends upon the stage of the cancer. In most of the cases wherever possible GI Cancer surgeon in India will opt for surgery, which is the best line of treatment for cancer of pancreas.

If the tumour or the cancer is at the head of pancreas then a surgery called whipple surgery is performed in India wherein surgeon would remove head of pancreas, duodenum, gall bladder, part of common bile duct and lymph nodes.

In some cases pancreatic cancer surgeon in India will remove the tail and body of pancreas along with the spleen. This is called distal pancreatectomy.

Sometimes the pancreatic cancer surgeon in India will have to remove the entire pancreas to give best results to the patient. After pancreas is removed patient can lead a normal life except that he has to be on insulin and enzyme replacement therapy.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy in India is used both as part of curative treatment along with surgery as well as palliative treatment for patients having cancer of pancreas in very advanced stage.