Pancreas is an important organ found in the upper abdomen in the body. It lies transversely in the shape of a banana leaf, just below the stomach, on the left side of the stomach, as if attached to the back; 12 to 15 cm. Length up to Its maximum weight is 100 grams.
Pancreas consists of four parts namely head, body, tail and neck. Its needle tail is to the left of the stomach; The broad head is close to the right small intestine. Between the two lies the body. The area where the head and the body meet is called the neck. The pancreatic duct leaves the head and joins the bile duct from the gallbladder to the small intestine.
Double gland!
Pancreas is a double gland. It is also called mixed gland. Acts as an ‘endocrine gland’ that directs digestion and an ‘endocrine gland’ that secretes hormones. What is it “there is a day, and there is no day?”.
Just like we have a landline phone and a cell phone, there are two types of glands in the body. If water secreted from one part of the body is carried to another part of the body through a vessel, it is a vessel. Like a land line phone!
If the water is secreted in response to the received signal and mixes directly with the blood without any duct, it is ductless. It’s like a cell phone! Pancreas is an amazing organ that combines these two types of glands. Pancreas secretes digestive juices that digest fatty foods. In addition, the pancreas also secretes insulin that controls sugar levels in the body!
Pancreatic cancer
Generally, pancreatic damage can be classified into two categories. One is Pancreatitis. Second, Cancer Pancreas. Pancreatitis occurs at a young age. Aging, pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is more common in economically developed countries. Its incidence is less in developing countries. Statistically, pancreatic cancer is more common in Uruguay. This cancer is very rare in African countries. In 2018 alone, about 5 lakh new cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed in the world. As far as India is concerned, the number of pancreatic cancer patients has been increasing in recent times. Hence, awareness about this is required.
Who is coming?
Pancreatic cancer usually occurs after the age of 45. Men are more likely to get this cancer than women. Especially, this type of cancer occurs in people who are born in a family that already has cancer. People with genetic defects are prone to this disease.
What is the reason?
Chronic alcoholism and smoking open the door to pancreatic cancer. A Western diet high in fat and foods rich in animal protein favors this disease. Chronic pancreatitis caused by alcohol is more likely to turn into cancer over time. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that people who fail to control their diabetes have a 10-fold increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Similarly, in obese people, H. People with H.Pylori infection are also more likely to develop this cancer.
What symptoms occur?
Didn’t we already say that the pancreas has 4 parts? Symptoms appear depending on which part of them the cancer affects. Importantly, jaundice. The thing to note here is that jaundice caused by a viral infection is different. Jaundice caused by pancreatic cancer is different. But this is where many go wrong. Misdiagnosing it as a common infectious disease, ignoring the disease at the beginning, passing the time with folk remedies and home remedies, they come for cancer treatment in the advanced stage of the disease. Due to this, the disease worsens and they go into dangerous condition.
Due to the compression of the bile ducts by the cancer at the head of the pancreas, the mixing of pancreatic juice and bile in the small intestine is blocked. The result is this type of jaundice. This is called ‘obstructive jaundice’. Folk remedies will not fix this. Instead, a treatment called ‘Stenting’ will correct this.
Next to jaundice, stool should be observed. Pale colored stool is a sign of jaundice. If this symptom persists, it is likely to be pancreatic cancer. Likewise, dark yellow urine is a sign of jaundice! If this symptom persists for weeks, there is a possibility of pancreatic cancer.
Another important symptom is abdominal pain. The pain starts in the upper abdomen and spreads to the left side of the back. The pain is very severe. Will not sleep. Hunger will decrease. Nausea and vomiting are bothersome. Body weight will decrease gradually. Anemia occurs. Physical fatigue can be difficult. Tumor can be felt by palpating the abdomen. Water may accumulate in the stomach.
What tests are available?
Basic blood tests (LFT) are needed to determine liver function. Along with this, blood cell test, hemoglobin test etc. will also be carried out. Abdominal ultrasound scan is the first scan. Following this, a special test called ‘CECT scan’ will be required. If pancreatic cancer is found in this test, a small amount of tissue will be removed from the affected cancer area and sent for biopsy.
Cancer is certain in this. A few others will also undergo a special test called ERCP. For those who are unable to perform a tissue biopsy, they can also diagnose the disease by examining the fluid that accumulates in the stomach. MRI can be used to determine whether the cancer is confined to the pancreas or has spread to other organs in the body. A scan, a ‘pet’ scan (PET scan) will also be carried out.
What is the treatment?
Pancreatic cancer is treated with surgery. In the early stages of the disease, the disease can be cured if the pancreatic cancer, some adjacent parts and the tumor are removed through ‘Whipple’s surgery’. However, because pancreatic cancer patients often present in the late stages of the disease, only 10 to 20 percent of patients undergo surgery.
For those who cannot undergo surgery, drug therapy and radiation therapy may be given. For some, radiation therapy may be given before and after surgery. Giving radiation therapy to people with pancreatic cancer can be quite challenging. The reason is that close to the pancreas are important areas such as the intestines, liver, and kidneys, and care must be taken to ensure that the radiation does not affect them. However, this risk is probably avoided because of the ability to precisely deliver radiation with modern methods. So, no need to fear.
How to prevent?
* No alcohol or smoking.
* Fatty foods should be reduced.
* Foods rich in animal protein should also be reduced with age.
* Avoid obesity.
* Do walking or exercise daily.
* Keep diabetes under control.
* It is better for families with a family history of cancer to have an abdominal ultrasound scan once a year above the age of 30.
* Pancreatic cancer has a tumor marker called CA 19-9. They can do this too.