Is pancreatic cancer contagious?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on December 30, 2024
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Pancreatic cancer, like other malignant tumors, is not contagious. Therefore, in clinical settings, including patients' families and accompanying healthcare staff often ask doctors if they might catch the disease while interacting with cancer patients. It is important to educate that malignant tumors, including pancreatic cancer, are not contagious. Contagious diseases refer to chronic conditions like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, AIDS, etc., which can spread through contact with bodily fluids or blood of the affected individuals. However, malignant tumors are not infectious.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What department should pancreatic cancer patients see?

For the treatment of pancreatic cancer, if it is in the early stages and the surgeons assess that surgery is feasible, surgical treatment is the main approach. If surgery is not feasible according to the surgeon's assessment, or if the cancer is found at an advanced stage without the opportunity for surgery, then the treatment involves chemotherapy or some symptomatic supportive treatments. Therefore, patients at their first consultation should initially visit the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery to see if surgery is possible, and then consult the Department of Oncology for further treatment steps, especially for patients who do not have the opportunity for surgery, who need to visit the Department of Oncology.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are some symptoms of early pancreatic cancer?

Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer generally do not exhibit many symptoms, as the tumors are relatively small. Clinically, many patients may experience intermittent mild abdominal pain that does not affect their daily lives. A small number of early-stage patients may exhibit symptoms of general fatigue, mild loss of appetite, nausea, mild acid reflux, or other symptoms of indigestion. Additionally, a few patients in the early stages may experience intermittent episodes of diarrhea. Because these symptoms are not distinctive, patients rarely seek medical attention early. When symptoms like significant epigastric pain and jaundice become apparent, it often indicates that the pancreatic cancer has progressed to a more advanced stage.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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The difference between pancreatic tumors and pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic tumors include benign and malignant tumors, with malignant pancreatic tumors commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer. Benign pancreatic tumors include insulinomas, pancreatic cysts, lipomas of the pancreas, or fibromas, which are relatively rare in clinical settings. Whether benign or malignant, including pancreatic cancer, symptoms can include upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice, among other clinical signs. However, distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors requires pathological examination.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Early symptoms and manifestations of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of malignant tumor that has seen an increase in incidence in recent years. The early symptoms and signs of pancreatic cancer include the following: many patients experience abdominal pain, which often radiates to the shoulder and back. Additionally, some patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer may develop jaundice in the skin and mucous membranes, and some may even exhibit bleeding spots. Moreover, some patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer may show symptoms of indigestion, experiencing repeated belching, nausea, and loss of appetite. Furthermore, the symptoms of early-stage pancreatic cancer are generally not typical because the tumor is located deep within the body and is small, hence it does not invade surrounding tissues. Therefore, the clinical symptoms are neither severe nor diverse.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What should be done if pancreatic cancer has not metastasized?

If pancreatic cancer has not metastasized, then it might be in an early stage. In this situation, consultation with a hepatobiliary surgeon is necessary for the surgeon to assess whether curative surgery can be performed. If the surgeon determines that curative surgery is feasible, this should be the preferred treatment method. Post-operatively, based on whether there are symptoms of recurrence or metastasis, such as vascular tumor thrombi or lymph node metastases, decisions concerning the necessity for adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy should be made based on these high-risk factors for recurrence and metastasis.