Pancreatic carcinoma

	pancreatic carcinoma: Health Search Results from the Invisible Web

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Search results last updated: 9/12/2008

pancreatic carcinoma - Images (Source: MedLinePlus)

pancreatic carcinoma, Digestive system

Digestive system

pancreatic carcinoma, Endocrine glands

Endocrine glands

pancreatic carcinoma, Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

pancreatic carcinoma, Pancreas

pancreatic carcinoma, Biliary obstruction - series

Biliary obstruction - series

Causes of pancreatic carcinoma (Source: MedLinePlus)

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. The disease is slightly more common in men than in women, and risk increases with age. The cause is unknown, but it is more common in smokers and in obese individuals. Almost a third of cases of pancreatic cancer are due to cigarette smoking. There is controversy as to whether type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. A small number of cases are known to be related to syndromes that are passed down through families. ... [ read more.. ]

Symptoms of pancreatic carcinoma (Source: MedLinePlus)

Weight loss ; Abdominal pain ; Loss of appetite ; Jaundice ; Nausea and vomiting ; Weakness ; Fatigue ; Diarrhea ; Indigestion ; Back pain ; Clay-colored stools ; Paleness ; Depression. ... [ read more.. ]

pancreatic carcinoma - Conventional Treatments (Source: MedLinePlus)

At the time of diagnosis, only about 20% of pancreatic tumors can be removed by surgery. The standard procedure is called a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure). This surgery for pancreatic cancer should be done at centers that perform the procedure frequently. Some studies suggest that surgery is best performed at hospitals that perform at least 9 of these surgeries per year. When the tumor is confined to the pancreas but cannot be removed, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be recommended. When the tumor has spread (metastasized) to other organs such as the liver, chemotherapy alone is usually used. The standard chemotherapy agent is gemcitabine, but other drugs may be used. Gemcitabine provides clinical improvement in approximately 25% of patients. For patients who have biliary obstruction (blockage of the vessels that transport bile) and the tumor cannot be totally removed, the obstruction must be relieved. There are generally two approaches to this -- surgery and placement of a biliary stent (similar to stents placed in the arteries of the heart to relieve blockages) during ERCP. Management of pain and other symptoms is an important part of the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Hospice can be very helpful to patients for both pain and symptom management and psychological support for the patient and the family during the course of the illness. ... [ read more.. ]

Further Reading on pancreatic carcinoma

Carcinoma, pancreatic ( MedicineNet ) Pancreatic islet cell carcinoma ( MedicineNet ) Carcinoma, pancreatic ( eMedicineHealth ) Pancreatic Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) - Treatment Option Overview ( WebMD ) There are different types of treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer . Different types of treatment are available for...are different types of treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer . Pancreatic Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) - Treatment Option Overview ( WebMD ) ...on Levels of Evidence for more information.) The survival rate of patients with any stage of pancreatic exocrine cancer is ....The survival rate of patients with any stage of pancreatic exocrine... Pancreatitis - Treatment Overview ( WebMD ) Treatment of pancreatitis depends on whether you have a sudden ( acute ) attack of pancreatitis or you have had the condition for a ...may need surgery to widen a narrow pancreatic duct or to remove... Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment (PDQ®) - Abdominal Cancers ( WebMD ) Abdominal cancers include adrenocortical tumors,renal cell carcinomas,carcinomas of the stomach, cancer of the pancreas,colorectal...99-102, 1998. Schwartz MG, Sgaglione NA: Gastric carcinoma in the... Jaundice Overview ( WebMD ) WebMD looks at the causes and treatments of jaundice...Hepatitis Biliary stricture (a narrowing of the ducts that transport bile) Cirrhosis Pancreatic cancer Inadequate blood flow to the liver... Amylase ( WebMD ) An amylase test measures the amount of this enzyme in a sample of blood taken from a vein or in a ...days. A test for amylase is done to: Find pancreatitis and other pancreatic diseases. See if the...

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