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I D Cancer Center
I D Cancer Center
From Diagnosis to Victory

  • Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer – Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment | I D Cancer Center

What Is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas, a vital organ located behind the stomach responsible for digestion and blood sugar regulation.
Most pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas, arising from the ductal cells.

Pancreatic cancer is often detected late because symptoms appear gradually, making early evaluation critical.

⭐ Types of Pancreatic Cancer

1. Exocrine Tumors (Most Common)

  • Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

  • Acinar cell carcinoma

  • Ampullary carcinoma

2. Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)

  • Insulinoma

  • Glucagonoma

  • Gastrinoma

  • VIPoma

  • Non-functional NETs

⭐ Risk Factors

Certain factors increase the likelihood of pancreatic cancer:

  • Age > 55 years

  • Smoking and tobacco use

  • Obesity

  • Chronic pancreatitis

  • Diabetes

  • Family history or BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations

  • Heavy alcohol intake

  • High-fat diet

⭐ Common Signs & Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer symptoms are often subtle. Watch for:

  • Persistent abdominal pain radiating to the back

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Loss of appetite

  • Jaundice (yellowing of eyes/skin)

  • Dark urine, pale stools

  • New-onset diabetes

  • Nausea / vomiting

  • Fatigue

  • Blood clots (rare)

If these symptoms persist, early consultation is crucial.

⭐ How Pancreatic Cancer Is Diagnosed at I D Cancer Center

We follow a structured, evidence-based diagnostic approach:

✔ Clinical Evaluation

Detailed history, risk assessment, and physical examination.

✔ Blood Tests

  • Liver function tests

  • CA 19-9 tumor marker

  • Blood sugar evaluation

✔ Imaging Tests

  • Ultrasound Abdomen

  • Contrast-Enhanced CT (CECT)

  • MRI/MRCP (bile & pancreatic ducts)

✔ Endoscopic Procedures

  • EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound)

  • ERCP with biopsy

  • Fine-needle aspiration (FNA)

✔ Biopsy (Gold Standard)

Confirms cancer type and grade.

⭐ Pancreatic Cancer Staging

Staging helps determine the best treatment plan.

  • Stage I: Localized tumor

  • Stage II: Spread to nearby tissues/lymph nodes

  • Stage III: Locally advanced

  • Stage IV: Metastatic disease

⭐ Treatment Options at I D Cancer Center

Treatment depends on the stage, tumor location, and patient’s overall condition.

1. Surgery (When Tumor Is Resectable)

Performed in early-stage disease:

  • Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy)

  • Distal Pancreatectomy

  • Total Pancreatectomy

2. Chemotherapy

Used before or after surgery and for advanced disease.
Common regimens include:

  • FOLFIRINOX

  • Gemcitabine + Nab-Paclitaxel

  • Gemcitabine alone (for frail patients)

3. Radiotherapy

At I D Cancer Center, we use advanced image-guided precision techniques:

  • IMRT

  • VMAT / Arc Therapy

  • Adaptive Radiotherapy

  • SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy) for select cases

Radiation helps:

  • Control local tumor

  • Reduce pain

  • Shrink tumors before surgery

4. Targeted Therapy

For tumors with actionable genetic mutations.

5. Immunotherapy

Emerging role in MSI-high or mismatch-repair deficient tumors.

6. Palliative & Supportive Care

Focused on:

  • Pain relief

  • Nutrition support

  • Management of jaundice

  • Symptom control

  • Improving quality of life

⭐ Prognosis

Prognosis depends on:

  • Stage at diagnosis

  • Tumor biology

  • Surgical resectability

  • Response to therapy

Early diagnosis and multimodality treatment significantly improve outcomes.