Summary Table
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers. Not due to being the most aggressive, but it is extremely difficult to detect in the early stages. The pancreas, a glandular organ deep in the abdomen, sits behind the stomach and in front of the backbone. It has a silent location for which reason it takes time to be diagnosed, as early growths of tumors may remain there without showing any signs or symptoms.
The pancreas serves two vital functions of the body:
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Digestion: It secretes enzymes which aid in the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the latter part of small intestine.
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Regulation Of Hormones: It secretes two hormones, insulin and glucagon, governing sugar levels.
These processes are disrupted when cancer arises in the pancreas. And because the symptoms of pancreatic cancer — back pain, fatigue, digestive issues — are nonspecific and commonly attributed to less severe conditions, patients have advanced disease by the time they’re diagnosed a lot of the time.
Early identification is key. By learning to recognize the signs and understanding other factors that can increase your risk of stroke, you’ll know when to seek medical help and also that your chances of survival will be much greater.
So What Is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a situation where cells in the pancreatic multiply abnormally and out of control to cause malignant tumor. These cancers may impair the functioning ability of the pancreas, and they can later transfer to other body organs.
Pancreatic cancer also has various forms, depending on the cells:
a. Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
This is the most prevalent type that comprises almost 90 percent of all the pancreatic cancers.
It originates from the ductal cells- those cells which lining up the pathways that transport digestive enzymes out of the pancreas.
PDAC is highly likely to develop and spread rather fast, and it is most frequently detected in the head of the pancreas, close to the bile duct.
b. PNETs of the pancreas Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs)
These are less common, though tend to grow slower.
This is a pancreatic hormone secreting cell (islet cell).
Other PNETs are working tumors i.e. produce redundant hormones (such as insulin or gastrin), which lead to particular symptoms. Another group is non-functioning ones and they might not present the various hormonal symptoms hence they prove difficult to diagnose.
What is the Process of Spreading of Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer may spread to adjoining structures (such as the bile duct, liver or intestines) or it may be metastasized through lymphatic system or blood to far-flung organs. Owing to its aggressive behavior and insidious place, it can be found only at later stages when it has spread outside of pancreatic system.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms: What to Watch For
Because early-stage pancreatic cancer tends to be silent, and the warning signs don’t start being noticeable until it reaches an advanced stage.
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Jaundice (Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes): When the tumors are located in the head of the pancreas, they push on the bile duct, leading to a build-up of bilirubin. This, in turn, causes the yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, pale stools, and itchy skin.
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Gastric cancer Abdominal or Back Pain: Continuous severe pain in upper abdomen, possibly stretching to the back—unremitting and worse when lying down or after meals.
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Unexplained Weight Loss (not due to exercise, fractional loss in body fat or other metabolically related issues): This happens from malabsorption of fat and poor enzyme activity.
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Tiredness and weakness: a sick feeling, tired all the time, not helped by sleep.
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Digestive Signs and Symptoms : Nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea and greasy stools resulting from poor digestion.
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Late in Life Diagnosed Diabetes: There are cases where diabetes is late in life and mainly after the age of 50, boring the symptom of the pancreas, which was corroded when the tumor begins to sprout.
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Blood Clots: Having pancreatic cancer increases the risk of a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) in the legs which could cause a heart attack (a pulmonary embolism) in the lungs.
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Additional Symptoms: Backache, alteration of bowel habits or abdominal enlargement can also take place.
As these pancreatic cancer symptoms are commomly present in benign diseases it is often misdiagnosed. Persistent symptoms of 10 days or more should be evaluated by a physician.
Causes And Risk Factors
Although it is commonly unknown what triggers pancreatic cancer, there exist some risk factors:
Lifestyle Factors that can be Modified:
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Smoking: The risk of smokers is 2-3 times larger than non-smokers.
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Obesity and poor diet: It is associated with high BMI, processed food, excessive consumptions of red meat and lack of exercise which cause metabolic changes and chronic inflammation.
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Too much Abuse: Alcohol abuse tends to cause chronic pancreatitis making one prone to cancer.
Health issues & Genetic Pretentions:
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Chronic Pancreatitis: the persistent state of inflammation of the pancreas can eventually foster malignancy.
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Diabetes: Diabetes may be a result of pancreatic cancer, especially adult-onset diabetes.
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Family History & Genetics: Approximately 510% of those dealing with it are related to genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome, and some others.
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Exposure to occupational or Chemical: A long time exposure to some industrial chemicals causes risk.
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Age & Gender: The majority of the cases appear in elder persons over 65 years; compared to women, the men are a little bit more exposed.
It is vital to mention that the presence of one or more risk factors does not necessarily indicate cancer therefore, many patients with pancreatic cancer do not have any of the risks.
Diagnosis & Staging
Diagnostic workup may include:
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Hematology: General tests and tumor markers in specific indications.
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Imaging: Ultrasound, CT and MRI scans or endoscopic ultrasound can be used to see tumors.
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Histopathologic confirmation may be obtained by biopsy or fluid sampling.
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Staging Studies: TNM (Tumor, Nodes, Metastasis) classification to define the extent of disease.
Early stage is crucial — surgery works best when tumors are contained. Unfortunately, fewer than 20%–25% of patients are candidates for radical surgical resection secondary to advanced presentation.
Outlook & Treatment
Note that pancreatic cancer has poor five-year survival rate and in most cases this can be less than 13 percent but when caught early this drastically increases survival chances.
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Surgery: The surgery offers a chance to permanently cure some patients where a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) is performed.
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Chemotherapy & Radiotherapy: Used in the treatment of advanced tumours, or post-operative treatment to eliminate microscopic cancer.
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Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy: Custom, or precision therapies based on genetic mutations (such as BRCA mutations) are transforming treatment and outcomes.
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Palliative Care: Aims on relieving suffering and supporting quality of life at advanced diseases.
A multidisciplinary treatment is able to give the right such the highest possibility of personalized treatment by the oncologist, gastroenterologist, radiologist and surgeon.
Prevention & Awareness
While it is not always possible to prevent pancreatic cancer, the risk of developing it can be minimized by:
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Quit Smoking
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Maintain Healthy Weight
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Healthy Eating: More plants, less processed or read meat.
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Limit Alcohol Intake
Conclusion: Best Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in Gurgaon
Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease — but awareness, early diagnoses, and specialized treatment can tip the odds in favor of survival. It’s worth noting: If you have ongoing symptoms like upper abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, jaundice or sudden diabetes—get to an MD stat.
Dr. Pooja Babbar is considered to be the best medical oncologist in Gurgaon and has more than 15 years of combined experience in dealing with patients suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Babbar has performed her caring evidence-based treatments helping so many of her patients go into remission and being completely cancer-free. In addition, she knows everything there is to know about advanced chemotherapy, personalized treatment plans, and treating you as a person, not just as someone with pancreatic cancer.
Whether you or a loved one has been affected by the symptoms or diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, it may be time to change that for the better and healthier tomorrow by seeing Dr. Pooja Babbar.
