Pancreatic cancer – diagnosis and Treatment Modalities ( Part 1 )

Pancreatic cancer affects tissues of the pancreas ; which is an internal organ that lies horizontally in your abdomen. Pancreas secretes most of the digestive enzymes  also – the pancreas – secretes hormones that are responsible for metabolism  and regulation of blood sugar level  i.e. insulin

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis even when diagnosed in early stages. However; Pancreatic cancer usually has a wide spread secondaries and rarely discovered before this stage – rarely discovered in its early stages - .

Pancreatic cancer – diagnosis and Treatment Modalities

Symptoms of Pancreatic cancer:

Before we speak about symptoms and signs of Pancreatic cancer we have to talk a little about the pancreas itself, its anatomy and function. Your pancreas is the crucial organ in the digestive system. It is a pear shaped organ that lies horizontally in your abdomen, about 6 inches. The pancreas secretes most of the digestive enzymes such as lipase, amylase. Also your pancreas plays a fundamental role in the process of metabolism and blood glucose level regulation as it secretes insulin hormone responsible for this. Thus the pancreas has an endocrine part and an exocrine part

Usually  Pancreatic cancer show no symptoms till it is advanced in late stages . symptoms and signs of Pancreatic cancer include:

•    Upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back

•    Jaundice; yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to high bilirubin levels

•    Anorexia;  pathological loss of appetite

•    Cachexia; weight loss ( Lean weight )

•    Depression

Types of Pancreatic cancer:

Pancreatic cancer has two major types, which  depends upon the cells involved in the Pancreatic cancer. Types of Pancreatic cancer include:

1-    Adenocarcinomoa : Pancreatic cancer that is developed in the ducts of the pancreas.cells of these ducts secretes the pancreatic digestive enzymes. Most of Pancreatic cancer are of this type, pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Sometimes it is called exocrine tumor

2-    Endocrine tumor; types of Pancreatic cancer that is formed from the hormone producing cells of the pancreas

Pancreatic cancer – diagnosis and Treatment Modalities

 Etiology of Pancreatic cancer:

The exact etiology of pancreatic cancer is unknown but most theories about Pancreatic cancer believe it is due to genetic mutations that lead to uncontrolled growth and uncontrolled division of the pancreatic cells  leading to Pancreatic cancer formation

Risk factors for Pancreatic cancer :

Factors that might increase the risk of developing a Pancreatic cancer include:

1-    Old ages, usually over 60

2-    Black races

3-    Obesity

4-    Chronic pancreatitis

5-    Diabetes mellitus

6-    Family history of the cancer (Pancreatic cancer)

7-    Smoking

To be Cont. Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Options

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Diabetes Mellitus definition causes and types

Diabetes mellitus Definition:
Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome of impaired glucose metabolism resulting in a case of hyperglycemia…In other words Diabetes mellitus is a condition that is characterized by impairment of body handling of glucose level in the blood mostly due to endocrinal causes.

Diabetes Mellitus definition causes and types

Diabetes mellitus has two main types:

Type 1 Diabetes mellitus: Insulin dependent Diabetes mellitus in which there is low or no insulin secreted from the pancreas at all.
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus: in which there is insulin resistance ….insulin present but no effective.
However if you have diabetes for you it is no matter which type of Diabetes mellitus you have as in all types you have a raised blood glucose level which may lead to a serious health problems.
Type 1 and type 2 Diabetes mellitus are irreversible but there are some types of Diabetes mellitus that may be reversible e.g. Gestational Diabetes mellitus, pre-diabetes, if Diabetes mellitus is secondary to other disease e.g. drugs.
Symptoms of Diabetes mellitus:
Diabetes mellitus has many symptoms are vague and vary widely depending on which type of Diabetes mellitus you have. But generally in type 1 and type 2 Diabetes mellitus this is the common symptom:
-    Increased thirsty
-    Frequency of urination
-    Always hunger
-    Easy fatigue
-    Weight loss that has no apparent cause; despite normal or even increased appetite
-    Blurring of vision
-    Decreased wound healing may be noticed.
-    Easily get infections e.g. abscesses and other skin infections, vaginal and urinary tract infections.
Etiology of Diabetes mellitus; the cause:-
Before we mention different causes of Diabetes mellitus we have to understand the normal cycle of glucose utilization and metabolism in our bodies. Glucose is the main source of energy for our body cells and our brain only can utilize glucose. There are two main sources of glucose for our body :
1-    Dietary sources…the food we eat
2-    The liver via a process known as glycogenolysis in which there is a breakdown of the stored glycogen to glucose to be utilized when needed.
After the food is digested, glucose is absorbed from our intestine into blood to circulate to the tissues to be utilized.
Here the hormone insulin comes from the pancreas and act as if a key that unlocks the microscopic doors in our cells for glucose to enter and start energy production. In case of increased glucose intake over body need the excess glucose will be stored as glycogen in the liver to be reused when needed…thus our liver act as a storage or reservoir of glucose.
Causes of type 1 Diabetes mellitus:
In type 1 Diabetes mellitus; our immune system which is normally responsible for defending us against viruses, bacteria and other intruders strangely attacks and destroy the beta cells of the pancreas that is responsible for insulin production resulting in low or even not insulin at all. 

Diabetes Mellitus definition causes and types

  Causes of Pre-diabetes and type 2 Diabetes mellitus:
The cause of pre-diabetes which is a leading cause to type 2 Diabetes mellitus is that the cells become more resistance to the action of insulin so that glucose won’t enter the cells and increased in our blood. The exact cause of this insulin resistance is unknown but  it is found to occur in obese persons especially with abdominal fat and inactive persons.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes mellitus:
Hormones of pregnancy that is secreted by the placenta may cause your cells to be more resistant to insulin. This resistance increases by the increase in placental size ( Placental Growth ) thus insulin resistance increases during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy
Next topic will be the risk factors& diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

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