I created this little My Pet Unicorn
Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer
The
challenge of this disease is finding it early. A doctor cannot see or
feel a tumor during a routine exam.
To help make the diagnosis (and
determine the most appropriate treatment), imaging tests are performed
(such as an ultrasound or CT scan) to view pictures of the abdomen and
determine the extent of the problem.
Causes of Pancreatic Cancer
Although
the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known,
smoking is the main
risk factor,
with smokers 2-3 times more likely to have the disease than
nonsmokers.
Age is also related, with the disease usually striking
after age 45.
Diabetes is also linked to pancreatic cancer, with about
10%-20%
of those diagnosed with the cancer having diabetes.
Other risks
include chronic pancreatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.
And family
history of pancreatic cancer, high fat diet,
obesity, and lack of
exercise can also play a part.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic
cancer is called a "silent" disease because symptoms typically do not
present in the early stages. But as the cancer grows and spreads, pain
often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back.
The pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Other
symptoms may include jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss,
fatigue, weakness, and depressionToday is November 19th 2012
I am doing well since my Cancer surgery and 6 months of Chemotherapy
It is almost one year since my diagnosis with pancreatic cancer
I survived the Whipple Procedure
I survived chemotherapy
Pancreatic cancer
often goes undetected until it's advanced and difficult to treat. In
the vast majority of cases, symptoms only develop after pancreatic
cancer has grown and begun to spread.
Because more than 95%
of pancreatic cancer is the adenocarcinoma type,
we'll describe those
symptoms first, followed by symptoms of rare forms of pancreatic cancer.
Recommended Related to Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer may go undetected until it's advanced. By the time
symptoms occur, diagnosing pancreatic cancer is usually relatively
straightforward.
Unfortunately, a cure is rarely possible at that point.
(This section focuses on pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which account for
more than 95% of pancreatic cancer. Other forms of pancreatic cancer are
mentioned at the end.)
Diagnosing pancreatic cancer usually happens when someone comes to the
doctor after experiencing weeks or months of symptoms...
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms: Location Matters
Initially, pancreatic cancer tends to be silent and painless as
it grows. By the time it's large enough to cause symptoms, pancreatic
cancer has generally grown outside the
pancreas. At this point, symptoms depend on the cancer's location within the pancreas:
- Pancreatic cancer in the head of the pancreas tends to cause
symptoms such as weight loss, jaundice (yellow skin), dark urine, light
stool color, itching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, back pain, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
- Pancreatic cancer in the body or tail of the pancreas usually causes belly and/or back pain and weight loss.
In general, symptoms appear earlier from cancers in the head of the pancreas, compared to those in the body and tail.
Pancreatic Cancer: Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Because pancreatic cancer grows around important areas of the digestive system, gastrointestinal symptoms often predominate:
- Abdominal pain. More than 80% of people with pancreatic cancer
eventually experience some abdominal pain as the tumor grows.
Pancreatic cancer can cause a dull ache in the upper abdomen radiating
to the back. The pain may come and go.
-
Bloating. Some people with pancreatic cancer have a sense of early fullness with meals (satiety) or an uncomfortable swelling in the abdomen.
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Pale-colored stools. If the duct draining bile into the
intestine is blocked by pancreatic cancer, the stools may lose their
brown color and become pale or clay-colored. Urine may become darker.
Pancreatic Cancer: Constitutional (Whole-Body) Symptoms
As it grows and spreads, pancreatic cancer affects the whole body. Constitutional symptoms can include:
- Weight loss
- Malaise
- Loss of appetite
- Elevated blood sugars. Some people with pancreatic cancer develop diabetes as the cancer impairs the pancreas' ability to produce insulin. (However, the vast majority of people with a new diagnosis of diabetes do not have pancreatic cancer.)
Pancreatic Cancer: Skin Symptoms
Jaundice: As pancreatic cancer blocks the duct that releases bile
into the intestine (common bile duct), the ingredients of bile build up
in the blood. This turns the skin and the eyes yellow, a condition
called jaundice. The same blockage causes dark urine and light-colored
stools.
Itching: People with pancreatic cancer sometimes report itching all over. Blockage of the bile ducts is often responsible.
1
|
Symptoms of Rare Pancreatic Cancers
Islet cell tumors, also called neuroendocrine tumors, arise from
the cells in the pancreas that make hormones. Islet cell tumors account
for only 1.5% of all pancreas tumors.
Like pancreatic adenocarcinoma, islet cell tumors may cause abdominal pain, weight loss,
nausea, and vomiting. Hormones released by an islet cell tumor can also cause symptoms:
- Insulinomas (excess insulin): sweating, anxiety, lightheadedness, and fainting from low blood sugar.
- Glucagonomas (excess glucagon): diarrhea, excessive thirst or urination, weight loss.
- Gastrinomas (excess gastrin): abdominal pain, nonhealing stomach ulcers, reflux, weight loss.
- Somatostatinomas (excess somatostatin): diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, foul-smelling fatty stools.
- VIPomas (excess vasoactive intestinal peptide): abdominal cramping, watery diarrhea, facial flushing.
Pancreatic Cancer's Sneaky Symptoms
In a very small number of people with pancreatic cancer, early
symptoms might be present that could lead to an earlier diagnosis.
Unfortunately, researchers have been unable to identify any predictable
pattern. One study that surveyed 305 people with pancreatic cancer
illustrated the challenge:
- About 4% reported having a sudden disgust for preferred tastes (like coffee, smoking, or wine) that preceded other symptoms by more than six months.
- 5% of people had loss of appetite, a feeling of early fullness
with meals, or profound weakness, more than six months before more
obvious symptoms developed.
- 1% of people had attacks of acute pancreatitis more than six months before their diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.
The rarity and vagueness of these situations points out the
difficulty of using early symptoms to catch pancreatic cancer at an
earlier stage.
That said, symptoms like weight loss, persistent loss of
appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, or light-colored
stools should always prompt concern. Consistent or worsening discomfort,
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are also disconcerting. If you feel
something's not right, see your doctor.
JAnuary 2nd 2013
felling much better now
i have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism
started rx
june 20 2012
juice therapy starts now
mango
tomato
pineapple
orange
Acai powder
hemp powder
better food choices needed
I like the Mcdonalds fish filet it goes down good and has no noticable ill effect
bananas
cereal
whole milk
my taste for food is every changing seems like once i have had it i dont want it again anytime soon
june 2012
It occurred to me recently that this food enzyme Creon
that i must take to breakdown my food has
become my life force so to speak
I know that without it I would
die from starvation within a year
feet and legs swollen pain full got new medician from dr rose that did not help
we met with ms kincaid and reviewed her surgical pathology with her
she has good surgical outcome from therapy but despite best care
the overall prognosis for pancreatic remains grim
the 3 year recurrence rate can be estimated to be around 80 - 90
percent adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine has been shown
to improve overall survival by 10 percent
a round mass was identified in the pancreatic head obstructing the
common bile duct the mass was hypoechoic the mass measured
27mm by 27mm in maximal cross sectionaldiameter
the endosonographic borders were well defined there was sonographic
evidence suggesting invasion into the second portion of the duodenum
manifested by invasion an intact interface was seen between the mass
and the adjacent structures suggesting a lack of invasion fine needle
aspiration was performed color doppler imagin was utilized prior to needle puncture
to confirm a lack of significant vascular structures within the needle pass
five passes were made witht the 25 gauge needle using a transduodenal approach no stylet was used a cytologist was present and performed
a preliminary ccytologic examination preliminary cytology is suspicious for adenocarcinoma
final results are pending no eidence of vascular invasion no sign of significant endosonographic abnormality in the pancreatic body and in the pancreatic tail there was dilation in the common bile duct limited view of left liver lobe clear celiac axix clear
March 2012
adding ground beef to my diet i like it pan fryed and added to my spaghetti sauce
adding mushrooms too
got my tax returns needed the money for sure
approved by the ohio operating engineers retirement pension fund disability doctor on feb 29
this means that now they will review and determine if i will get any funds from my $15,000 pension
still waiting for food stamps and medicare approval
first source really screawed up my applications
found out that the intake papers have wrong social security number
because of you Nichole Brown your mistake and inability to respond properly to problems
have stalled any hope of receiving these much needed services within the next few weeks
since december 2 2012 i have received no help from these two government services in fact I was denied at both services simply because social security number was written down wrong this cause three problems all of which Ms Brown failed to respond and correct the problems asap
Feb 2012
I go back to chemo treatment today after 1 week off feeling much better and eating better now
tomorrow i go for my disability exam set up by ohio operating eng local 18 for my disability review trying to get some of my $15,000 i have in that account for retirement
found a protein drink at the grocery store called Odwalla protein monster goes down good
got my pig enzymes yesterday in the mail from the manufacture they are helping already in my digestion
Mouth still sore getting better
have sinus infection too
boiled ham slices no fat good with mustard on toast
oranges
social security income has been deposited into my checking account, only 665 dollars until may when ss disability starts will get around 1,100
fighting off mouth infection bleeding gums shrinking gums jaw pain swelling under jaw
been using natural tooth cleaners such as tea tree oil mixed with other oils seems to be helping
View my personal donation request letter february 2012 phone number and address
I have applied for my social security and food stamps and medicad however these wheels move slow my savings account is almost gone and i am behind one month on my rent.
I have a great food bank I go to run by the Columbus Cancer Clinic they are paying for most of my meds until Medicad is approved they also send a red cross transport van to and from chemo treatments this is all very help full to me
The Columbus Cancer Clinic provides helping hands to the community, assisting those affected by cancer and those wishing to be screened. It is a non-profit United Way agency that has served the greater Columbus area since 1921.
The Clinic educates the public about cancer prevention and the benefits of early detection; offers affordable, accessible screening examinations, mammograms; and provides home care support services. All clients can receive needed services, regardless of ability to pay.
The Columbus Cancer Clinic became a program of LifeCare Alliance in May 2005.
December 6th 2012
date of re-birth
I'm a dweller on the threshold
The music of the spheres
Lift me up consume my darkness
When the midnight disappears
I will walk out of the darkness
And I'll walk into the light
And I'll sing the song of ages
And the dawn will end the night
--- Van Morrison
Me about one year before my illness a hefty 260 pounds I now weigh 208
my room in Columbus Ohio
I want to thank all my family for helping me since December 1 2011 when I found out I had pancreatic cancer. Sister Jean, Brother Alvin, Brother John, Sister Betty, Brother Steve,
Sister Ruthie, Sister Bonnie, Brother Bill, Brian and Kelly for sharing there life with me and there little girl whom I love with all my heart, Natasha and Mike
all who came to see me in the hospital and lending there emotional support and love Gina Laury-Smith Becky Sevy, Nathan and Teresa Seabolt, Rose Tayler, Rinda Scoggan-Gould Kim Longnecker
if i have missed anyone you know I love you and extra thanks for being my friend
this is my great niece Jillian being a clown
I give thanks for her in my life I love her so much
I like to make jewelry so if you would like for me to make a special piece for you send me a message my necklace are priced at $25.00 this includes shipping in USA
a few examples of my work some of these are still available
see my flea market booth at the capital flea market in Charleston Wv summer 2010
how to be creative jewelry making ideas
Thank you to
Dr. Andrei V. Manilchuk and
My oncologist Dr. J. Rose
Feb 8 2012
i think my thrush is back called the James clinic waiting for Dr. Rose to allow me to take the thrush medicians i have on hand
also sudden constipation
