Ducts are called exocrine pancreatic juice to the common bile duct and, eventually, the small intestine. Only a small percentage of cells in the pancreas are endocrine glands, arranged in small groups or clusters called islets of Langerhans. The islet cells release three hormones (insulin, glucagon and somatostatin) which allow the body to metabolize (break down and digest) the food. Also regulate the body makes use of glucose, which is the energy source for many of the daily activities of all cells.

When the pancreas is functioning normally, the blood glucose concentration varies in response to a wide variety of events, stress or infections, but remains in its normal limits.

Causes

* Genetic Factor: The changes or mutations that occur in the DNA of people indicate that they might be responsible for pancreatic cells from becoming cancerous. It is therefore possible that changes in the DNA inherited from one generation to increase the risk not only to develop this cancer, but also others, and which involve the activation of oncogenes (cancer) or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes .

* Age: The risk of colon cancer increases after age 50. Most patients are between 60 and 80 years at the time of diagnosis.
* Sex: The probability of this disease is 30 percent higher in men than in women.
* Race: Black people are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than whites or Asian.
* Snuff
* Food: A diet rich in meat and fat increases risk, while fruits, vegetables and foods containing fiber seem to have a protective effect.
* Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with diabetes.
* Pancreatitis crónicao persistent inflammation of the pancreas, is also associated with increased risk of developing cancer in this body, given the evidence that some families have a tendency to suffer from chronic pancreatitis, which is thought to be due to an inherited genetic mutation . Thus, this risk factor linked to the first, exposing the possibility that the offender is the gene that is responsible for making certain digestive enzyme.
* Intense exposure to certain chemicals (pesticides, dyes and chemicals related to gasoline) are considered risk factors working against the possibility of developing this cancer.

Symptoms

Over 90% of patients generally have the following symptoms:

* Pain in the upper or middle abdomen
* Jaundice (yellow skin)
* Weight loss
* Nausea.

Other symptoms may also occur, as the case are:

* Acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
* Diabetes mellitus
* Weakness
* Diarrhea
* Spasms

Prevention

The best way to prevent pancreatic cancer is to avoid some risk factors like smoking, a diet rich in meat and fat and exposure to certain chemicals (pesticides, dyes and petroleum products). People newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer tend to respond by showing a state of shock and stress. These reactions may hinder the relationship between doctor and patient. For this reason, it is important to use the affected systems (annotations written or recorded) to remember the doctor’s instructions and, if it deems necessary, all the questions you want to make. The different ways of tackling the disease may include:

* Having the support of aid groups. It is also advisable that the patient contact with any of the associations devoted to advising and helping those affected by these diseases.
* Eat a balanced diet can help patients feel better, have energy to deal with treatment and coping as best as possible.
* Being immersed in a social environment (friends and family) offer understanding and moral support.

Diagnostics

If there are symptoms, the doctor makes a reconnaissance and orders tests to see whether cancer and determine what should be the treatment. The main diagnostic tests are:

* Ultrasound or ultrasound (sound waves are used to detect tumors).
* Computerized tomography (CT): a special type of x-ray with that obtained by computer, an image inside the abdomen.
* Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which uses magnetic waves to create an image inside the abdomen, and see if the cancer is partially blocking the blood supply to an organ not affected.
* Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. It involves inserting a tube down his throat flexible passing through the stomach and reaches the small intestine. The doctor can look through the tube and inject a dye so that the area can be seen more clearly on a radiograph.
* Biopsy: Inserting a thin needle into the pancreas to remove some cells. The cells can then be seen under the microscope.
* The PTCA: a thin needle is inserted into the liver through the right side and injected dye into the ducts of the liver so they can see the locks on the radiograph.
* Surgery. The doctor makes a cut in the abdomen and observe the pancreas and surrounding tissues for the presence of cancer. If a cancer does not appear to have spread to other tissues, the doctor may remove the tumor.

Treatments

It used four kinds of treatment:

* 1. Surgery. You can use surgery to remove the tumor. The doctor may remove the cancer using any of the following:

Whipple’s operation, during which removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine and some surrounding tissue. It leaves a sufficient portion of the pancreas to the body continues to produce digestive juices and insulin.

Total pancreatectomy, which is extracted through the entire pancreas, part of the small intestine, part of the stomach, bile duct, gallbladder, spleen and lymph nodes most of the region.

Distal pancreatectomy, which removes the body and tail of the pancreas. If the cancer has spread and can not be removed, the doctor may operate to relieve symptoms.

Biliary diversion: If cancer is blocking the small intestine and bile builds up in the gallbladder, the doctor may divert the whole small intestine or part of it. During this operation, cut the gallbladder or bile duct and joins the small intestine.

Tambiénpueden radiograph performed procedures to install a catheter to drain bile that has accumulated in the area. Through this procedure, the doctor may drain the catheter through an outer tube or catheter may go around the blocked area and drain the bile into the small intestine. Also, if the cancer is blocking the flow of food from the stomach, the stomach can bind directly to the small intestine so the patient can continue to eat normally.

* 2. Radioterapia.Consiste to use high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes in the area where cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
* 3. Quimioterapia. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Can be taken orally or administered through a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body and can kill cancer cells also located outside the pancreas.
* 4. Therapy biológical, type of therapy is to establish the differences between cancerous cells and normal pancreatic tissue, and then try to get the body to fight cancer. It uses materials made by the body or made in a laboratory to boost, direct or restore the body’s natural defenses against disease. Some biological therapies therapies are also known as biologic response modifiers or immunotherapy.
The treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on both the stage of disease is found as the age and general health of the patient. The patient can follow the standard treatment in patients in past studies was effective, or choose to participate in a clinical trial of ongoing studies that are designed to find better ways to treat cancer patients and are based on the latest information.

Other information

Side effects. The side effects of cancer treatment depend on the type and extent thereof, the treatment has been followed and the patient’s health status.

* The side effects of surgery depend on the extent of the operation:
- Pain during the first days, which can be controlled with medication.
- Weakness or fatigue.
- Digestive problems, which are relieved by following a proper diet.
* The side effects of radiotherapy depend on the dose and intensity. Some common ones include:
- Weakness and fatigue.
- Hair loss.
- Itching.
- Digestive problems (diarrhea, vomiting …).
* The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the specific drugs being taken:
- Digestive problems (vomiting, diarrhea …)
- Bleeding
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Rashes
* Side effects caused by biological therapy vary with the type of treatment received:
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Rashes
- Purple and swelling

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