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What Are the Different Tumors of the PancreasBY: Ritu Choudhary | Category: Pancreatic Cancer | Submitted: 2010-07-08 19:47:39
Tumors of the pancreas (exocrine tumors) are classified as endocrine tumors and tumors developed at the expense of tissue (which is rare). They can be benign but more often malignant. The ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common tumor (80% of total). It differs from other, according to the macroscopic appearance, solid tumors and cystic tumors. Main pancreatic tumors The adenocarcinoma alone represents nearly 90% of non-endocrine pancreatic tumors. Insulinomas, gastrinomas and nonfunctional tumors are by far the most common neuroendocrine tumors. The risk of malignancy is exceptional for insulinomas, of 20-40% for gastrinomas, common for glucagonomas. What are the main symptoms of pancreatic cancer The maximum frequency is between 60 and 70 years. The circumstances of discovery of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas are almost always related to its anatomic extent: - Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is revealed with cholestatic jaundice, gradual onset, without fever or pain. Sometimes jaundice is, early or later often associated with severe pain, gastric, general condition due to anorexia, and often associated with a depressive syndrome. One can feel an enlarged liver due to cholestasis. - Cancers of the left part of the pancreas (body and tail) are rare and occur later with pain associated with posterior invasion of the solar plexus. The pain can be extremely intense and require the use of analgesic treatment. By systematically derived analgesics currents are rapidly ineffective. The alteration of the general condition is most often. - The onset or worsening of diabetes, initially non-insulin dependent, should suggest that cancer in men over 40 years without family history of diabetes and without obesity. Whatever the anatomical location, some cases can lead to back pain only to look like rheumatology. Pancreatic cancer may also be revealed by metastases, especially liver, sometimes painful, sometimes in a context of massive alteration of the condition. The presence of a pancreatic tumor is then usually obvious after study but histological confirmation is necessary to tailor radio therapy. This biopsy, ultrasound, CT or ultrasonography can also be done. Over 90% of cases, the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was made at a stage where no further surgery with curative intent is possible due to metastases or local invasion of a major vessel. Major clinical signs of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas are Jaundice, Abdominal pain, weight loss vomiting, acute pancreatitis etc. What laboratory tests are unhelpful in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer The elevation of serum antigen is present in 80% of cases because it is most often already large tumors. The CA19.9 is not sensitive for detecting small tumors. Its positive predictive value is low, especially in cases of cholestasis. Indeed, with cholestasis, whether due to a benign condition, may be associated with an elevation of CA19.9 sometimes major. What imaging studies are useful in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer Abdominal ultrasound is the first line of examination. It may suffice positive diagnosis for cancer of the pancreas where it shows an expansion of the entire biliary tract and a possibly tumor. Sometimes there is a dilated main pancreatic duct upstream of a stenosis. The tumor itself, as an ill-defined hypoechoic mass deforming the pancreas and invading the adjacent organs, is not always visible on ultrasound. Ultrasound can also show obvious liver metastases. In the latter case, it is unnecessary to make additional tests beyond those necessary for histologic evidence. The CT scan allows diagnosis and staging, including vascular and retroperitoneal lymph node. The CT scan is particularly useful as it is performing the best use of technology and tuned for the helical pancreatic exploration. It is looking for direct signs (most often focal mass or diffuse hypodense or biliary dilatation of the pancreatic duct, parenchymal atrophy upstream. The tumor itself is not visible on CT scan in about 10% of cases. Therefore, indirect signs are so very useful. Article Source: http://www.cancer-surgery.com/ About Author / Additional Info: I am not a cancer doctor. Always consult your doctor before taking any action or conclusion regarding your medical condition. Comments on this article: (0 comments so far)
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