Beyond the Diagnosis: Exploring Pancreatic Cancer’s Causes, and Signs

Curious about the hidden dangers of pancreatic cancer and its subtle signs? The pancreas is a tiny but essential organ that controls blood sugar and digestion. This disease can grow covertly and go undetected until it is in a more advanced stage. Although pancreatic cancer presents many difficulties due to its mild symptoms and rapid spread, knowledge of its causes, warning indicators, and diagnostic techniques can be extremely helpful. In order to equip you with the knowledge required for awareness and early action, we dissect the complexity of pancreatic cancer in this blog, delving into its symptoms, consequences, diagnostic procedures, and answers to your most important concerns.

What is Pancreatic Cancer and How Does it Develop?

The pancreas is a small, yet vital gland located between the stomach and the spine in the abdomen. It produces digestive enzymes and hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. One kind of cancer that starts as an abnormal growth of cells in the pancreas is called pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent kind of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ducts are typically where pancreatic malignancies begin. Your pancreas and common bile duct are connected by the major pancreatic duct, also known as the duct of Wirsung.

According to trends from recent statistics, pancreatic cancer made up between 1.03 and 1.1% of all new cancer cases in India in 2024. The National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP) projected that there would be 1,533,000 cancer cases in India overall in 2024. Pancreatic cancer was expected to account for 15,800–16,900 cases in 2024, maintaining a comparable proportion (~1.03–1.1%), based on extrapolations from GLOBOCAN 2018 data (10,860 pancreatic cancer cases out of 1.05 million overall cancer cases, or ~1.03%) and considering the rising trend. In India, it is the eleventh most prevalent type of cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to detect early, when the chances of a cure are highest, because it often remains silent, showing no symptoms until it has spread to other organs. Early-stage tumors are particularly elusive, as they rarely appear on imaging tests, leading to diagnoses only after the cancer has metastasized. Compounding this challenge, pancreatic cancer is highly resistant to many standard cancer drugs, making effective treatment a significant hurdle.

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer:

Pancreatic cancer is often called a "silent disease" because it typically shows no symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage, making early detection challenging. When symptoms do emerge, they arise as the tumor begins to affect other organs in the digestive system, signaling that the cancer may have already spread. Common signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include:

·       Dark urine

·       Jaundice (yellowing of your skin)

·       Fatigue

·       Itchy skin

·       Nausea and vomiting

·       Gas or bloating

·       Lack of appetite

·       Upper abdominal pain

·       Middle back pain

·       Weight loss

·       New-onset diabetes

·       Blood clots

Serious Health Complications of Pancreatic Cancer:

Due to its silent evolution, pancreatic cancer is frequently detected at an advanced stage. As the tumor grows and impacts the pancreas and adjacent structures, it can cause a number of catastrophic consequences. These issues result from the cancer's influence on the pancreas's essential roles in blood sugar management and digesting, as well as its propensity to spread to other organs. The following are the main side effects of pancreatic cancer:

·       Jaundice: When tumors obstruct the bile duct, itching, black urine, and yellowing of the skin result.

·       Pancreatic insufficiency: Weight loss, diarrhea, and greasy stools are caused by blocked ducts (such as the duct of Wirsung), which hinder digestion.

·       Diabetes: 20–40% of patients develop new or worsened diabetes as a result of damage to insulin-producing cells.

·       Abdominal Pain: Severe pain or intestinal blockage can result from tumor strain on nerves or organs.

·       Metastasis: In 70–80% of late-stage patients, cancer worsens when it spreads to the liver, lungs, or peritoneum.

·       Cachexia: Strength and treatment tolerance are diminished by extreme weight loss and muscle atrophy.

·       Blood Clots: Dangerous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism are caused by an elevated risk of clotting.

·       Chronic Pancreatitis: Inflammation brought on by tumors results in ongoing pain and damage to the pancreas.

Diagnosis of Pancreatic cancer:

Pancreatic cancer, often elusive in its early stages, requires precise diagnostic tools for accurate identification and staging. Facilities such as Mahajan Imaging & Labs play a pivotal role. With over three decades of experience since their establishment, Mahajan Imaging & Labs has been at the forefront of performing these essential tests, leveraging advanced technologies like AI-driven ultra-fast MRI and PET-CT systems, alongside a team of expert healthcare professionals. Our patient-centric approach emphasizes timely reporting, ensuring results are delivered punctually to support swift clinical decisions. Below are the key diagnostic tests for pancreatic cancer, which are expertly conducted to aid in early detection and management:

·       Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): Usually assisted by CT or ultrasound imaging, this technique uses a thin needle to remove cells from a suspected pancreatic tumor.

·       Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): A non-invasive form of magnetic resonance imaging, this shows the pancreatic and bile ducts in great detail and can detect abnormalities or obstructions caused by tumors.

·       Pancreatic blood tests: Measure enzymes like lipase and amylase to measure pancreatic function as well as biomarkers, which may be elevated in pancreatic cancer.

·       CT Scans: Offers cross-sectional images of the pancreas, highlighting tumors, their dimensions, and any metastasis to adjacent organs like the liver.

·       MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This technique delivers high-resolution views of pancreatic tissues and surrounding areas, aiding in tumor detection and metastasis assessment.

·       PET Scans (Positron Emission Tomography): By detecting metabolically active areas, PET scans, often paired with CT (PET-CT), help stage the cancer and identify distant spread, guiding tailored treatment strategies.

In conclusion:

Prevention and early diagnosis are critical in the fight against pancreatic cancer, a disease often undetected until its later stages. Recognizing symptoms like jaundice or unexplained weight loss can prompt timely action, significantly improving outcomes. Mahajan Imaging & Labs, with over 35 years of expertise, provides advanced diagnostic tests like MRCP and PET-CT, delivered with patient-centric care and punctual reporting. By prioritizing awareness and early testing, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your health. Book your test through our website, WhatsApp (+91 88828 97661), or by calling our support team (+91 11 4118 3838), with options for in-centre testing or convenient home sample collection.

Don’t ignore symptoms—early pancreatic cancer testing saves lives. Visit Mahajan Imaging & Labs for advanced diagnostics like MRCP and PET-CT. Schedule your screening today!