Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, as well answering the question is pancreatic cancer hereditary? Keep reading to learn more!
Pancreatic Cancer Causes And Symptoms
The pancreas is a gland that produces digestive enzymes as well as hormones that control blood sugar levels. When abnormal cells in the pancreas grow out of control, pancreatic cancer begins. These tumor-forming cells can spread to other regions of the body if left unchecked.
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages because it often does not cause any symptoms. By the time symptoms do develop, cancer has often already spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Weight loss
- Pain in the abdomen or back
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in stool
- Fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat, and the survival rate is low. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 9 percent.
There are several risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including:
- Smoking cigarettes
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Gender (men are slightly more likely than women to develop pancreatic cancer)
- Family history (pancreatic cancer can run in families)
- Exposure to certain chemicals (such as pesticides)
It is not clear exactly what causes pancreatic cancer, but we do know that certain risk factors can make a person more likely to develop the disease.
Is Pancreatic Cancer Hereditary?
There is no simple answer to this question. While there are some families in which pancreatic cancer seems to run in the family, there is no definitive link between inherited genes and the development of pancreatic cancer. However, having a family member with pancreatic cancer does slightly increase your risk of developing the disease.
If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risks. You may want to consider getting genetic testing to see if you have any genes that are linked to pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is a serious disease with a very low survival rate. If you are at risk of developing pancreatic cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor and be vigilant about your health. Early detection is key to successful treatment, so if you experience any symptoms, be sure to see a doctor right away.
What Are The Chances Of Getting Pancreatic Cancer If Your Parents Had It?
The chances of getting pancreatic cancer if your parents had it are slightly increased. However, there is no definitive link between inherited genes and the development of pancreatic cancer.
If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risks. You may want to consider getting genetic testing to see if you have any genes that are linked to pancreatic cancer. It is predicted to have a 3 to 5 times greater chance of pancreatic cancer than the general population.
How To Treat Pancreatic Cancer?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat and the survival rate is low. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 9 percent.
There are several possible treatments for pancreatic cancer including:
- surgery – which may be an option for people with early-stage cancer
- radiation therapy – which uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells
- targeted therapy – which targets specific molecules that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
- chemotherapy – which uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
The best treatment option will depend on the individual patient and the stage of their cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor about all of your treatment options. Together, you can decide on the best course of action for your particular situation.
Pancreatic Cancer Mutation May Prognosticator Survival
The presence of a specific mutation in pancreatic cancer may help to prognosticate which patients are likely to experience a better survival, according to the results of a new study.
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, looked at the KRAS G12C gene mutation, which is found in about 13 percent of all pancreatic cancers.
Researchers found that patients with this mutation had a median overall survival of 8.4 months, compared to 5.8 months for those without the mutation. The presence of a specific mutation in pancreatic cancer may help to prognosticate which patients are likely to experience a better survival, according to the results of a new study.
In addition, the presence of the KRAS G12C mutation was associated with a lower risk of disease progression and death.
How To Diagnose Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to diagnose because it can cause few symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms do appear, the cancer is often advanced and difficult to treat.
If you are at risk of pancreatic cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risks and get regular screenings. Screenings for pancreatic cancer may include:
- blood tests – which can look for abnormal levels of certain enzymes
- imaging tests – such as CT or MRI scans, which can create pictures of the pancreas
- endoscopic ultrasound – which uses a special endoscope to create images of the pancreas
- biopsy – which involves removing a sample of tissue from the pancreas to be examined for cancer cells.
If pancreatic cancer is suspected, a biopsy is often needed to confirm the diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, additional tests will be done to determine the stage of cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Stages
There are four main stages of pancreatic cancer:
Stage I – The cancer is small and has not spread outside of the pancreas.
Stage II – Cancer has grown larger and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III – Cancer has spread to other nearby organs such as the stomach or small intestine.
Stage IV – Cancer has spread to distant organs such as the liver or lungs.
The stage of cancer will help guide treatment decisions. For example, surgery is often the best treatment option for stage I and II cancer, while chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be better for Stage III and IV cancer.
Conclusion
Overall, pancreatic cancer is a serious disease with a very low survival rate. However, the presence of certain mutations may help to improve prognosis and survival. There is no definitive link between inherited genes and the development of pancreatic cancer. Early detection is key to successful treatment, so if you experience any symptoms, be sure to see a doctor right away. Thanks for reading!
