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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: pancreatic cancer + pancreatic cancer: + cancer  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

AFP Vitamin C injections slow cancer in mice: study AFP - ... ovarian, and pancreatic tumors," the report said, delivering "up to four grams per kilogram of body weight daily." By injecting mice with 43 cancer and ... ABC News Injected vitamin C cuts cancer growth ABC Online, Australia - ... ovarian, and pancreatic tumours", the report says, delivering "up to four grams per kilogram of body weight daily". By injecting mice with 43 cancer and ... Vitamin C injections slow tumor growth in mice Xinhua Vitamin C 'slows cancer growth' BBC News Vitamin C 'breakthrough' in war on cancer Scotsman guardian.co.uk - New Scientist (subscription) all 84 news articles » YM BIOSCIENCES REPORTS PHASE II DATA FOR NIMOTUZUMAB IN METASTATIC ... FOXBusiness - ... a Phase II/III trial as a treatment for pancreatic cancer and the phase II study in colorectal cancer reported on in this release. ...YMI - OTC:CMTX Removal of More Lymph Nodes May Improve Survival in Gastric and ... Cancer Consultants, ID - Medical institutions that treat a high volume of patients with early gastric or pancreatic cancer or institutions affiliated with the National Comprehensive ... City doc's in ?5m war on cancer Liverpool Echo, UK - At present there are no specific drugs to treat acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis, and even fewer to treat pancreatic cancer meaning the prognosis ... Public to pass judgment on Chester hospital parking charges ChesterChronicle.co.uk all 3 news articles » Sorting Out Coffee?s Contradictions New York Times, United States - Cancer. Panic swept this coffee-dependent nation in 1981 when a Harvard study tied the drink to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. ... I Had the Same Disease. But I Was Lucky. Washington Post, United States - Aug 2, 2008 Last March, Pausch testified before a congressional subcommittee about his struggle with pancreatic cancer. Holding up a picture of his soon-to-be-widowed ... CBC.ca Pancreatic cancer: What you need to know Food Consumer, IL - Jul 27, 2008 By Ben Wasserman SUNDAY July 27, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Dr. Randy Pausch, Carnegie Mellon Computer Science professor, died of pancreatic cancer July 25. ... CBS Pausch Dies of Pancreatic Cancer University of Virginia CMU prof Pausch dies of pancreatic cancer Pittsburgh Tribune-Review HULIQ (press release) - Associated Content all 974 news articles » First comprehensive website on pancreatic cancer launched Hindu, India - Jul 29, 2008 Mumbai (PTI): To create more awareness on pancreatic cancer, specialists from the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) here and Delhi's Sir Gangaram Hospital have ... E! Online Patrick Swayze says he is a 'miracle' following treatment for ... Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Jul 21, 2008 The actor Patrick Swayze has spoken of his "miracle" response to treatment for pancreatic cancer. By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor The Dirty Dancing star ... Healthy-Looking Swayze, Gaunt Jobs Spark Public Speculation ABC News Swayze Hopeful Over Cancer Fight Sky News Patrick Swayze Says Cancer Treatments 'Working Really Well' FOXNews Mirror.co.uk - Stuff.co.nz all 102 news articles »

Pancreatic Cancer

Nearly 30,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States every year, and most die from the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fifth-leading cause of adult cancer-related deaths in the United States. This cancer usually occurs in people over the age of 65 and is rarely seen in persons under 45. The pancreas is a gland located in the abdomen that produces several hormones, including insulin. Pancreatic secretions aid the digestion of food and help the body to use glucose.

It strikes men and women equally. Like so many other cancers, the earlier it's caught, the greater the chances of survival. However, there is no screening test available for pancreatic cancer. By the time symptoms appear, it's usually too late for a cure.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often vague or not apparent, making the disease difficult to diagnose. Frequently, it reaches an advanced stage before symptoms occur. The most common are:

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• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite, nausea or weight loss
• Jaundice (a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Back pain
• Feeling of weakness

An individual's risk of getting pancreatic cancer increases if he or she:

• Uses tobacco
  
• Eats a high fat diet
  
• Has chronic pancreatitis
• Has a hereditary form of pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer
• Works with metals or chemicals
  
• Is African American

The exocrine part of the pancreas (which produces the digestive fluids that help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates) is where 95% of all pancreatic cancers, or adenocarcinomas, begin. The other five percent grow in the endocrine section, where hormones (like insulin) are made. Identifying the type of tumor is important since they behave, develop and respond to treatment differently.

Pancreatic cancer's symptoms are like those of many other pancreatic conditions. That's why it's important to be seen by an expert, who may use any of the following tests for an accurate diagnosis:

• Basic blood tests and a lab test called CA19-9
• Ultrasound. Though not a definitive test for tumors, it is a good way to find gallstones or cysts in the pancreas.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan. These three-dimensional X-rays are accurate tests for cancer. A CT scan is also used to guide a biopsy needle exactly to the tumor to take a tissue sample for lab analysis.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissue. A special type, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), can find blockages in the pancreatic and bile ducts.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This minimally invasive procedure is considered the gold standard for pancreatic and biliary diagnosis, but there is a two to five percent risk of causing pancreatitis.

Treatment for pancreatic cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination, depending on the stage of the disease.

Exploratory surgery is performed through an incision in the abdomen (laparotomy). This allows the surgeon to assess the extent of the disease. If the tumor can be removed, a Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy) is used, which can be very effective and results in few complications. Only five to 20% of patients have tumors that can be surgically removed.

Laparoscopy, a less invasive procedure, is sometimes done. The surgeon inserts a laparoscope (flexible telescope with a camera attached) into the abdomen to see how far the disease has progressed.

Chemotherapy or radiation may benefit the patient if the tumor cannot be removed. Neither can be done until the patient has sufficiently recovered from the exploratory surgery, which usually takes about six weeks.