- Treatment of pancreatic cancer: a review of the problem
- Major diseases
Pancreas - this is a very important organ of the digestive system. The pancreas produces enzymes needed to digest fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It also produces insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar (glucose), the body's main source of energy. Therefore, in case of problems, it is important to timely treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Violation of the pancreas can lead to diabetes, acute or chronic pancreatitis and even pancreatic cancer, which, according to statistics, is the sixth most common types of cancer. The increase in the pancreas can occur for several reasons.
The reasons for the increase of the pancreas
If the pancreas is increased, it can mean nothing. Perhaps your pancreas just overweight. Or it may be due to anatomical anomalies. But other reasons for the increase of the pancreas may mean the following:
- Pancreatitis - a disease that occurs when digestive enzymes become active in the pancreas itself, hitting it and damaging the tissue. This may cause an increase in the pancreas.
- Acute pancreatitis - an inflammation, which suddenly develops in the pancreas. This condition can be very serious and even life threatening. However, it usually takes a few days of treatment. Stones in the pancreas and alcohol - a common cause of acute pancreatitis. Other causes include high levels of blood fats, certain medications, some medical procedures, and some infections.
- Chronic pancreatitis - an inflammation, which eventually compounded and leads to irreversible damage to the pancreas. The most common cause - is alcohol abuse. Other reasons - heredity, cystic fibrosis, high levels of calcium or fats in the blood, some drugs, and some autoimmune diseases.
- Misleading pancreatic cyst - a fluid collection and disposal of tissue in the pancreas, which can happen after pancreatitis.
- Cystic adenoma - a tumor that is usually benign.
- Abscess - a cavity filled with pus, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Misleading pancreatic cysts can turn into an abscess.
- Pancreatic cancer - is the abnormal growth of cells in the pancreas, which can spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of increased pancreatic
Pain in the upper abdomen - a common symptom. The pain may spread to the back and to grow as a person eats or drinks, as in the cases of pancreatitis. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop these symptoms.
In other cases, the increase of the pancreas may not be accompanied by any symptoms. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers. It is difficult to determine at an early stage, because it is usually asymptomatic.
The doctor may ask the patient some questions, and then conduct a thorough physical examination. The doctor may also order blood tests, urine and feces, as well as other tests to confirm the increase in the pancreas. For example, you can assign the X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography, endoscopic resonance cholangiopancreatography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.
Other symptoms that may accompany an increase in pancreatic cancer are:
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea or fatty stools;
- weight loss;
- fever;
- rapid pulse;
- jaundice.
Treatment enlarged pancreas
Treatment depends on the cause of the increase of the pancreas. Treatment of acute pancreatitis require hospitalization and:
- introducing fluids through an IV;
- Antibiotics when necessary;
- painkillers.
Treatment may also include the removal of stones from the gallbladder. The doctor will likely also advise you to quit smoking, drink alcohol and eat fatty foods.
Treatment of chronic pancreatitis can also require hospitalization. Treatment and lifestyle in chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis
- Same as in acute pancreatitis. If you stick to the usual diet, you may need to take pancreatic enzymes to help digestion.
Treatment of various diseases of the pancreas may include a special procedure that uses an endoscope. It is called therapeutic ERCP. The physician can use this manipulation that:
- increase the through hole;
- remove stones from pancreatic or bile duct;
- install a stent to keep the pancreatic duct or the bile duct open;
- expand or stretch narrowed pancreatic duct or the bile duct;
- drain false cysts.
In some cases, require surgery or other procedures.
Treatment of pancreatic cancer can include surgery, radio- or chemotherapy.
Correct diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic require skilled professionals working in various fields of medicine:
- Experts in the field of endoscopic check the condition of the bile duct and pancreatic duct.
- Radiologists using the latest achievements of medical technology such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are diagnosed on the basis of which make up a treatment plan.
- Gastroenterologists develop a treatment plan that uses all the possibilities to do without surgery with medication.
- If the patient needs surgery, surgeons perform it using the latest scientific advances, including the method of minimally invasive surgery.
- Endocrinologists watching patients suffering from diabetes, and help to develop the necessary nutrition plan and schedule.
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Major diseases
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