One of the most horrible kinds of cancer any person could get is cancer of the pancreas. It has the lowest survival rate but no one should be discouraged by statistics because given early detection further spread can be preventable.

Pancreatic cancer symptoms early stage has the highest survival rate. This is why it is ideal for anyone experiencing anything unusual with the body to consult a doctor immediately.

What are the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer? Abdominal pain is among the most typical symptom. However, the bad news is that once this is felt it already means that the cancer has already reached its advanced stage. Pain happens when the tumor in the pancreas has already placed pressure on the abdominal region’s nerves. This kind of pain can either be intermittent or continuous. It can occur every after a meal or when a person prepares to recline.

Pancreatic cancer symptoms early development includes muscle spasm. This symptom is usually present in a kind of pancreatic cancer called islet cell cancer. This kind of cancer is when pancreatic cells begin producing more insulin the required amount needed by the body. Overproduction of insulin can then lead to muscle spasm because an increase of its release greatly affects glucose stored in the skeletal muscles.

Another significant symptom of pancreatic cancer is weight loss. This is one of the most common pancreatic cancer symptoms early in its stages. Sudden weight loss occurs because cells of the pancreatic cancer tumor deprive normal cells of the required nutrients.

Jaundice or yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin is also another common symptom of pancreatic cancer. This occurs due to increase blood bilirubin which is a by-product of dying blood cells.
Other symptoms of cancer of the pancreas are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, digestive problems, and discomfort.

A post from: Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate

Pancreatic cancer life expectancy is pretty low. After a person is diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, life expectancy is usually five to eight months depending on the stage it has been discovered. The good news is that at most twenty percent of those who suffer from such plight have at least a year to live.

Life expectancy for patients who have lived for over five years is only five percent. However, this number can increase and decrease depending on the treatment given and how early the cancer has been discovered.

Why is life expectancy of cancer of the pancreas low? To begin with, the pancreas is a major organ that produces enzymes necessary for digestion. Its size is one reason why diagnosis of cancer is difficult. Even skilled surgeons find tumors difficult to remove because it is small and its location is also a challenge.

Another reason why pancreatic cancer life expectancy is low is that pancreatic cancer tumors spread fast. Tumors developed here can spread to parts of the body such as lymph nodes and blood vessels where they are practically hard to remove even with high end radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Individuals with longer or higher pancreatic cancer life expectancy are lucky enough to have tumors that are still isolated or have not yet spread to the other major body organs. If successful surgery is also done earlier then life expectancy can be longer. During such surgical procedure the pancreas’ affected part along with the tumor are removed. Nonetheless, there are a number of cases wherein patients live longer than expected or who experience longer remission periods.

Today, with the help of so many modern diagnostic procedures, cancer can be detected earlier even when the cancer is too hard to see. The best way to increase to increase pancreatic cancer life expectancy is through a strong will for survival.

A post from: Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate