Pancreatic Tumours
Pancreatic Tumors: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Pancreatic tumors, also called pancreatic cancer, are a type of cancer that develops in the pancreas. The pancreas is a small, spongy organ behind the stomach that produces enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the body’s blood sugar level. Pancreatic tumors can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). They can also occur in different forms, such as cysts, tumors, or combinations of these.
Symptoms
Pancreatic tumors often do not produce any symptoms until they have grown large enough to press on other organs or spread to other parts of the body. In these cases, common symptoms include:
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Pain in the upper abdomen or back
- Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes)
- Itchy skin
- Fever
- Enlarged lymph nodes
Causes
The exact cause of pancreatic tumors is unknown, but certain risk factors have been identified. These include:
- Cigarette smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- A family history of pancreatic cancer
- Exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides and dyes
Diagnosis
To diagnose pancreatic tumors, a doctor will typically order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI. A biopsy may also be done to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a small sample of tissue from the tumor and examining it under a microscope.
Treatment
Treatment for pancreatic tumors depends on the type, location, and size. Surgery is the usual treatment for malignant tumors. This may be followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be used. Benign tumors may not require treatment, but may need to be monitored for changes.
