Is a pancreatic tumor the same as pancreatic cancer?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Pancreatic tumors include benign and malignant tumors of the pancreas. Common benign pancreatic tumors include insulinomas, which can cause hypoglycemia due to excessive insulin secretion. Other benign tumors of the pancreas include adenomas, lipomas, and fibromas, which are relatively rare clinically. Malignant tumors of the pancreas are commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer, which has a high degree of malignancy. Early-stage pancreatic cancer patients are primarily treated with surgery.

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How is pancreatic cancer caused?

Currently, there is no consensus in clinical practice regarding the causes of pancreatic cancer, but some studies have found that certain factors contribute to its high incidence. For example, patients with diabetes have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer compared to those without diabetes, and having chronic pancreatitis and other diseases also leads to a higher occurrence of pancreatic cancer. Additionally, factors such as genetic mutations are also associated with the development of pancreatic cancer. Some research has found that there is a certain correlation between genetic factors and the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. Once pancreatic cancer develops, it leads to a variety of symptoms in clinical settings.

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Is there still a cure for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis?

Pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis is considered to be in the advanced stage, but some patients can still benefit from treatment in terms of survival. They can choose chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and oral anti-angiogenesis medications, among others. The choice of specific medications should take into account the patient's overall condition and various other factors. The effectiveness of the treatment varies from person to person; some patients may benefit from the treatment, while others may not see significant improvement, but these options are still worth considering.

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What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

The clinical manifestations of pancreatic cancer mainly depend on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, whether there is metastasis, and the involvement of adjacent organs. The clinical characteristics include a short disease course, rapid progression, and swift deterioration. The most common symptom is upper abdominal distension and discomfort, pain, though not all patients experience tenderness; if tenderness is present, it aligns with the area of pain felt. Pain is a primary symptom of pancreatic cancer, present whether the cancer is located in the head or the body/tail of the pancreas. Jaundice is a main symptom of cancer in the head of the pancreas, and patients often exhibit more severe gastrointestinal symptoms, most commonly loss of appetite, followed by nausea and vomiting. There might also be diarrhea or constipation, even melena. Diarrhea is often steatorrhea. In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, common symptoms include weight loss and fatigue.

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Which test for pancreatic cancer is the most accurate?

Abdominal ultrasound and abdominal CT scans are the most commonly used imaging methods for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Additionally, it is important to consider the patient's symptoms and blood tests for tumor markers, mainly IP antigen, CEA, and CA19-9. Confirming pancreatic cancer requires a biopsy to find cancer cells, which is the gold standard for diagnosis. Other tests can serve as screening and adjunct diagnostic tools. Confirmation requires a biopsy for pathological diagnosis or direct radical surgery followed by a postoperative pathological confirmation.

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Can pancreatic cancer be detected by a CT scan?

Pancreatic cancer can be detected by CT, which shows both direct and indirect signs. The direct signs of pancreatic cancer are manifested as pancreatic masses, which are mostly lobulated. On plain scans, the tumor appears isodense or slightly hypodense compared to the pancreatic parenchyma. When the tumor is large, it appears as a local protrusion, mostly located within the pancreas. In the early phase after enhancement, the tumor enhances less than the surrounding normal pancreatic tissue because pancreatic cancer is a hypovascular tumor. Indirect signs are mainly secondary changes caused by pancreatic cancer, mainly affecting the common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct, which can lead to pancreatic duct dilation, characterized by the typical double duct sign.