Pancreatic Cancer Quiz

Pancreatic cancers most commonly arise in the cells that line the ducts of the pancreas. Risk factors include heavy alcohol use resulting in chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, and a family history of pancreatic cancer as well as some inherited syndromes. There are usually no symptoms when the tumor is small but later symptoms include yellowing of the skin (jaundice), mid-back pain, abdominal pain or discomfort, weight loss and fatigue.

• Skin or eyes turning yellow

• Stomach pain or tummy ache in a specific place

• History of cysts in pancreas

• History of pancreatic cancer

• Back pain worse with exercise

• Black, shiny stool

• Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% or 1-2kg in a month

• Skin Itching

The specialist will confirm the diagnosis with a biopsy of the pancreatic mass and suggest a treatment plan based on scans and tests that show how big the tumor, its location, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or elsewhere. Options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapies or a combination and so treatment should be managed by a multi-disciplinary groups of physicians including specialized surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, interventional radiologists, and pain or palliative care doctors. Sometimes stents (small tubes) are required to keep ducts open. Supportive and palliative care can also play an important role.