The pancreas is a lobed organ and is located behind the stomach. The head of the organ is in the abdominal cavity on the right. She binds to the duodenum. A narrow section of the pancreas (tail) moves to the left.
This body is responsible for the release of hormones (including insulin). The juice produced by the pancreas contains enzymes that help digest food in the small intestine. Insulin is responsible for blood sugar levels. Thus, hormones and enzymes are necessary for the stable functioning of the body.
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by spreading through the lymphatic system. It is represented in the tissues of the body by a network of vascular branches. The cells of a malignant tumor pass through this system, along which there are groups of small organs in the form of beans. These are the lymph nodes. With surgical intervention, they are often removed to determine if pancreatic cancer has spread to them. Cancer cells can spread through the bloodstream to the lungs, liver, bones, and other organs. This proliferating pancreatic cancer is characterized as metastatic.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to explain why some people develop a malignant tumor, while others do not. However, experts are finding out factors that provoke pancreatic cancer. The main and most common is smoking. Studies show that in people who abuse this habit, pancreatic cancer develops three times more often. When a person quits smoking, the risk of a malignant tumor is significantly reduced.
Doctors call the development of a malignant tumor in the pancreas a “silent” disease. This is due to the absence of any manifestations at the initial stages of its formation.
With the development of a tumor in the bile duct, it spreads to the digestive system. Patients have painless jaundice, accompanied by darkening of the urine and yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
Pancreatic cancer of the head is typically characterized by more severe symptoms. Patients feel pain localized in the right hypochondrium. In some cases, their manifestation is similar to the symptoms of peptic ulcer, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis.
The development of a malignant tumor in the body and tail of the pancreas pain is even more pronounced. Often a symptom acts as the earliest manifestation. At the same time, pain with the course of the disease becomes painful and extremely unbearable. Their localization is noted in the epigastric region. Often pains have a zoster character. In some cases, their localization is observed in the region of the spine, shoulder, left shoulder blade or behind the sternum.
A rare form of development of malignant neoplasms include cancer of the islet zone. In this area, insulin and other hormones are produced. When the tumor spreads to this area, patients experience chills, dizziness, weakness, diarrhea, or muscle cramps.
The treatment of cancer in the pancreas depends on many factors. These should include the volume, type, size of the tumor, as well as the state of health and age of the patient.
It should be noted that a cure for a malignant neoplasm is possible only if it is diagnosed in the early stages before its wide spread. However, at the same time, getting rid of it is quite difficult. Despite this, the symptoms of the disease can be alleviated, and the quality of life of the patient is significantly improved.