Pancreatic cancer - a very dangerous disease; prognosis is usually poor, even if the diagnosis on the early stages. It is developing rapidly and is one of the main causes of death in patients with cancer.

Symptoms

At a late stage of pancreatic cancer may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain in the upper abdomen radiating to the back;
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes;
• Lack of appetite;
• Weight reduction;
• Depression;
• The formation of blood clots.

Typically, the symptoms appear at the stage of cancer, when the removal of the pancreas surgically impossible.

Types of pancreatic cancer

Types of pancreatic cancer are determined by the order in which the cells began to grow a tumor.

• Cancer, which is formed in the ducts of the pancreas, or adenocarcinoma. Cells covering the inside of the ducts, contribute to the production of digestive juices; from these cells generated an adenocarcinoma. It is the most common type of pancreatic cancer.
• Cancer, formed from cells that produce hormones; this cancer is sometimes also called endocrine cancer.

Factors

The following factors increase the risk of pancreatic cancer:

• Age older than 60 years;
• Being overweight or obese;
• Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis);
• Diabetes;
• Genetic syndromes that increase the risk of cancer, a family history. These include, for example, mutations in BRCA2, Lynch syndrome, and others;
• Pancreas cancer Diabetes and pancreas - the things you need to know   family history;
• Smoking.

Complications

Complications of pancreatic cancer may include:

• Jaundice may occur if the cancer blocks the bile duct.
• Pain. The growing tumor can compress the nerves in the abdominal cavity, causing severe pain. In order to facilitate the patient's condition are used painkillers and radiotherapy. In the most severe cases, your doctor may recommend injections of alcohol to the nerves. This procedure nerves temporarily stop sending pain signals to the brain.
• Bowel obstruction. The cancer of the pancreas can disrupt the movement of digested food through the intestines. To eliminate this violation may be using a special procedure.
• The reduction in weight. Numerous factors can cause a reduction in weight in patients with pancreatic cancer, including nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment or pressure, the body's inability to properly digest food, and disease associated with severe stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis .

Diagnostics

For the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer using techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a biopsy.

During the diagnosis and determine the stage of cancer. In pancreatic cancer four stages. In the first stage the cancer develops only in the pancreas, in the last it spread beyond the pancreas, such as the liver, lungs, and other organs.

Treatment

If the cancer had not spread beyond the pancreas, it can be treated by surgical methods. If the cancer develops in the head of the pancreas during surgery removed the head, part of the duodenum, gall bladder and part of the bile duct. Sometimes also remove part of the stomach. The surgeon connects the remaining part of the pancreas, stomach and intestines, so that the patient can properly digest food.

When removing cancer growing in the body or tail of the pancreas, the spleen is removed sometimes. This operation is associated with an increased risk of bleeding and infection.

Before surgery, the patient can undergo a course of radiotherapy Radiotherapy in cancer treatment: irradiation aid Sometimes in conjunction with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy Chemotherapy - it always falls the hair?   appointed in cases where treatment is surgical methods is impossible.

Targeted therapy - a method of treatment that uses drugs that act directly on cancer cells. Erlotinib - preparation for targeted therapy - blocking chemicals that allow cancer cells to grow and divide signal. Usually receive erlotinib is combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Other drugs for targeted therapy is only in clinical trials.

Experts believe that men should know what symptoms require immediate treatment to the doctor. But when it comes to the visit to the doctor, most of the men trying to postpone it. Many of them have never in my life would not have sought medical help, if this is not the woman insisted.

Doctors say that this attitude of men to their own health - a very sad fact. Regular screening helps detect cancer and other diseases in the early stages. If the cancer is found early, there are many treatment options, which means that the probability of success is much higher.

Some of the symptoms of cancer is quite specific. But there is a less clear symptoms. For example, simultaneous pain in various parts of the body may be a symptom of cancer, but can also be caused by other reasons. To find out it can only be a specialist.

Seals in the chest

Most men never really thought about what they do can be breast cancer. This is really rare, but not impossible. In the event of any entities in the chest, you should seek medical advice.

In addition, you should pay attention to these symptoms associated with breasts:

• Uneven or wrinkling of the skin
• Nipple retraction
• Redness or scaling of the skin or nipple
• Discharge from the nipple

If you go to the doctor with these symptoms, it is likely you will ask about medical history and examine you and may then appoint a mammogram, a biopsy or other tests.

Pain

As we age, most people start to feel pain. But the pain, albeit a very inaccurate indication can be one of the early symptoms of cancer. However, the pain is usually caused by other reasons.

Any long-term pain - a reason for seeking medical attention. He knows all the details, and then decide whether additional studies are necessary. Even if it's not cancer, visit to the doctor can determine the exact cause of the pain and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Changes in the testes

Testicular cancer most often affects men aged 20 to 39 years. Experts recommend that men undergo regular medical examination. Some doctors advise to carry out self-examination monthly.

But between surveys should pay attention to symptoms. Any change in the amount of increase or decrease, and any seals, swelling or feeling of heaviness - a cause for concern. Some types of testicular cancer are developing very quickly, so early detection is very important.

At the reception, a doctor will examine the testicles and generally assess the state of health. If there is a suspicion of oncology, the doctor will prescribe a blood test. You may also appoint an ultrasound exam or a biopsy.

Changes in the lymph nodes

If you notice a lump or enlarged lymph nodes under the arms or neck, or elsewhere - is cause for concern. If the lymph node continues to increase for at least a month, you need to see a doctor.

The doctor will examine you and determine what factors may have led to an increase in the lymph nodes - such as an infection. If the infection is not usually prescribe a biopsy.

Fever

If you have a fever for no reason, it may be a symptom of cancer. However, by itself the heat is often a symptom of various diseases or infections that require treatment.

Most types of cancer cause fever at some stage. Often, fever occurs when the cancer has started to spread through the body. Also, an increase in temperature causes a blood cancer such as lymphoma or leukemia.

It is better not to ignore wanton fever. Consult a doctor to find out the cause and appropriate treatment.

Unexpected weight loss

If you suddenly lose weight, it can be a dangerous sign. After all, people usually need a lot of effort to lose weight. It's not about when you lose weight for a couple of kilograms due to sports or special activity periods. If a man loses more than 10% of their weight during the three - six months, should consult a doctor.

The doctor will conduct a general inspection, discuss your lifestyle, diet, physical activity, find out if there are other symptoms. Based on this information, it will be able to find out what other examinations are necessary.

Abdominal pain and depression

If you suffer from abdominal pain and at the same time experiencing depression, you need to be screened. The experts found a link between depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood   and pancreatic cancer Diabetes and pancreas - the things you need to know . Other symptoms of this cancer - jaundice, discoloration of stool (gray) and dark urine. It is also possible itching all over the body.

In this case, the doctor will conduct a thorough inspection and ask about the history of the disease. Ultrasound examination may be needed or computed tomography, as well as various analyzes.

Constant fatigue

Constant fatigue - another pretty vague symptom that could signal cancer. But, obviously, many other problems can also cause fatigue. As well as fever, fatigue can occur when the cancer has begun to spread. But these forms of cancers like leukemia, cancer of the colon or stomach, can appear at an early stage.

If you often feel very tired, that does not go after the rest, consult a doctor. The doctor must find out whether you have other symptoms, conduct a survey and prescribe treatment.

Persistent cough

Typically, the cough associated with the common cold, flu, allergies. Also cough can be a side effect of medication. But very prolonged cough, that is to continue for more than three or four weeks, or a change in cough, which can not be overlooked - it is a symptom that should not be ignored. In this case, be sure to consult your doctor, since such a cough can be a symptom of cancer, or it may point to other serious problems, such as chronic bronchitis Bronchitis - protection if the body has malfunctioned .

The doctor will examine the throat, listens to the lungs, measure lung capacity and if you smoke, prescribe X-rays. Establish the cause of the cough, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Difficulty swallowing

Sometimes people notice that they are hard to swallow, but ignore this symptom. Or, for example, switching to a liquid diet. However, difficulty swallowing can be a symptom of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, cancer of the esophagus. This is a reason for seeking medical attention. The doctor will ask about your medical history may send you to a chest X-ray or endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach.

Skin changes

Attention should be paid not only to changes in moles - a well-known sign of a possible skin cancer - but also on changes in skin color. Also alarming symptom can be sudden bleeding or severe peeling of the skin. If the skin condition does not improve within a few weeks, see your doctor.

At the reception, the doctor will find out medical history and conduct a thorough inspection. It may also be biopsied.

Unexpected blood

Every time you see blood where it did not exist, contact your doctor. If you notice that you cough blood, spit blood, saw the blood in the stool or urine - please contact the medical institution.

Many believe that the blood in the stool - a sign of hemorrhoids, but it can also be a symptom of colon cancer.

The doctor at the reception will ask you about your symptoms. May refer you for examination - colonoscopy Preparing and conducting a colonoscopy: the risks and alternatives Which will help determine the causes of bleeding and noted possible signs of cancer or precancerous condition.

Changes in the mouth

If you smoke, you should be especially careful not to appear there in your mouth or in the language of the white dots or spots. These may be signs of leukoplakia, a precancerous area, where a constant irritation. It may develop into oral cancer.

You should tell your physician about changes or dentist. The doctor will review the changes and, if necessary, appoint a further research.