What is the main cause of pancreatic cancer?
Risk factors Smoking. Diabetes. Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) Family history of genetic syndromes that can increase cancer risk, including a BRCA2 gene mutation, Lynch syndrome and familial atypical mole-malignant melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome.
How do you detect pancreatic cancer?
CT scans are often used to diagnose pancreatic cancer because they can show the pancreas fairly clearly. They can also help show if cancer has spread to organs near the pancreas, as well as to lymph nodes and distant organs. A CT scan can help determine if surgery might be a good treatment option.
What is the #1 cause of pancreatic cancer?
The malignancy may extend to nearby as well as distant organs. Pancreatic Cancer Causes. The exact pancreatic cancer causes are not yet known. Though, research says that common triggers for pancreatic cancer are: smoking, diabetes, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, and a strong family history of the disease.
How do I know if my back pain is a sign of pancreatic cancer?
Back pain is a rare first sign of pancreatic cancer. Tumors in the pancreas may cause back pain by irritating the nerves in that region. This may present as new-onset pain in the center of your back. This pain is typically present at all times and does not come and go.
Can chemo shrink pancreatic tumor?
Chemotherapy may shrink and/or prevent the growth of pancreatic tumors, destroy microscopic cancer cells that may have spread prior to surgery, or relieve pain caused by the cancer.
What is pain associated with pancreatic cancer?
The classic type of abdominal pain associated with pancreatic cancer is a dull pain, located at the epigastrium (just below the breastbone) and radiates to the mid-back. Occasionally, patients may have right upper quadrant or left upper quadrant abdominal pain.
