The month of November is Pancreatic Cancer Month. Pancreatic cancer affects the pancreas, which is an organ that aids in digestion and the endocrine system. The pancreas has two parts: the exocrine pancreas and the endocrine pancreas. The exocrine pancreas is involved in the production of digestive enzymes important for breaking down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. The endocrine pancreas produces insulin, a hormone involved in monitoring blood sugar. A common disease that is caused by a non-functioning endocrine pancreas is diabetes.
66,440 American’s are estimated to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024, and 51,750 of them are estimated to die (about 78%) – making it the third most deadly cancer (behind lung and colorectal, respectively). For pancreatic cancer, early diagnosis would increase the patient’s survival rate as well as increase the treatment options available; however, that is rare. One factor that makes this cancer so deadly is the complexity of the cancer. Since the pancreas is ‘hidden’ behind the stomach and under the liver, the location makes it more difficult to notice on scans and during physical exams. Another factor that impacts complexity is that the symptoms make it hard to diagnose. Some symptoms of pancreatic cancer are new-onset diabetes, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), weight loss, and upper abdominal pain. However, these symptoms don’t begin until the tumor has spread to other organs. The extent of development that has already occurred before symptoms begin make it incredibly difficult to diagnose early. Just like any disease, early diagnosis is important.
The stage in which the cancer is diagnosed is important because it indicates the development of the cancer. The stages are organized in categories, 1-4; more specific organization categories include the size of the tumor (T), whether it has spread to lymph nodes (N), and whether it has metastasized (M). Beginning with the size of the tumor; T0 indicates that there is no tumor growth (not infected), T1 indicates that the tumor is 2cm or less (T1a indicates the size is 0.5cm or less, T1b indicates 0.5cm-1cm of tumor growth, and T1c indicates the tumor is between 1cm-2cm long); T2 indicates the tumor is between 2cm and 4cm; T3 indicates the tumor is 4cm or larger; T4 indicates that, regardless of size, the tumor has grown beyond the pancreas and infects nearby blood vessels. Moving to whether the tumor has infected lymph nodes, NX indicates that nearby lymph nodes cannot be infected; N0 indicates that the cancer has not spread to any nearby lymph nodes; N1 indicates that the tumor has spread to 1-3 nearby lymph nodes, and N2 indicates that the cancer has been spread to 4 or more nearby lymph nodes. Finally, M0 indicates that the cancer has not spread at all, and M1 indicates that the cancer has spread to other organs or lymph nodes. Pancreatic cancer is most diagnosed in the fourth stage (tumor of any size that has spread).
Pancreatic cancer is commonly diagnosed by imagining testing (CT scans, MRI, PET scans, etc.). Surgically removing the tumor is the most effective way of treating the disease; however, doctors don’t recommend it unless it is possible to remove the entirety of the tumor. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also used to shrink the size of the tumor, whether before or after a surgical procedure. Radiation therapy is also used to alleviate symptoms for those who don’t qualify for surgery.
Some risk factors of pancreatic cancer include smoking, drinking alcohol excessively, certain genetic syndromes, chronic pancreatic disease, diabetes, and age (60 and over). Ways to attempt the prevention of pancreatic cancer include not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, eating healthy, and maintaining a healthy weight for your body. Although this is a deadly cancer, there is research being conducted to discover a way to diagnose and begin treatment earlier.
During the month of November, I urge you to spread awareness by wearing purple in support and conducting your own research and educating others. I’ve personally lost someone very close to my heart from this disease, and I feel very passionate about spreading awareness. Early detection saves lives; educating our friends, families, and communities could help decrease the number of lives lost due to pancreatic cancer.
Sources:
n.d. Pancreatic Cancer Stages. John Hopkin’s Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-stages
Post, E. 2024, January 17th. Pancreatic Cancer Five-Year Survival Rate Increase to 13%. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. https://pancan.org/news/pancreatic-cancer-five-year-survival-rate-increases-to-13/#:~:text=An%20estimated%2066%2C440%20Americans%20will,from%20the%20disease%20this%20year.
2014, August 21st. Pancreas. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/pancreas
2023, March 17th. Pancreatic Cancer. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15806-pancreatic-cancer#management-and-treatment