Pancreas Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Overview

The pancreas is a gland organ involved in both the digestive and endocrine systems of the body. It is located behind the stomach at the back of the abdomen, and the widest part lies in the first section of the small intestine, also called the duodenum. The pancreas is responsible for secreting digestive enzymes into the duodenum which help break down fats, carbohydrates, proteins and acids. It also secretes three hormones controlling the amount of glucose in the blood. Pancreatic cancer is when a malignant tumor develops on the pancreas. It is important when a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is made to understand the treatments including Pancreatic Cancer Tarceva, long term prognosis and support available to the patient and family. 

Treatment for pancreatic cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy and other drugs and nutritional supplements. Surgery is possible only for a small percentage of cases in which the tumor is on the head, or largest part of the pancreas attached to the duodenum and is not attached itself to any other structures inside the body. It is also possible for laparoscopic resective surgery for small, localized tumors. Chemotherapy is used to improve quality and quantity of life. Treatments are weekly. Pancreatic Cancer Tarceva is another treatment which may prevent tumor growth by interfering with cell communication and growth. 

Pancreatic cancer is unfortunately known as a silent killer because there are no signs and symptoms when the cancer is in it's early stages. As a result, most people do not seek a doctor until symptoms start, when the cancer is already in an advanced state. Because of this, most patients cannot expect to live much longer than two years although most do not even survive that long. The survival rate to five years after diagnosis is only 5%. Pancreatic Cancer Tarceva can improve those odds slightly. 

Many pancreatic cancer patients also suffer from clinical depression, sometimes before they receive a diagnosis. The reason for this is still unknown, but even without handling depression, it is clear that patients and their families need to have awareness of the kinds of support groups and foundations out there to help. Facing one's own mortality, and the mortality of a loved one is a trying and difficult time. Even with advances in care and treatment, such as Pancreatic Cancer Tarceva, there is still no cure for cancer, and complete remission of pancreatic cancer is and extremely rare occurrence.

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