Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach and in front of the spine. The pancreas produces digestive juices and hormones that regulate blood sugar. Cells called exocrine pancreas cells produce the digestive juices, while cells called endocrine pancreas cells produce the hormones. The majority of pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine cells.
Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly to nearby organs. It is seldom detected in its early stages. But for people with pancreatic cysts or a family history of pancreatic cancer, some screening steps might help detect a problem early. One sign of pancreatic cancer is diabetes, especially when it occurs with weight loss, jaundice or pain in the upper abdomen that spreads to the back.
X? s? Ronglong h?m nayThe diagnosis of the pancreatic cancer in India is done through certain diagnostic tests that include Contrast Enhanced CT Scan of abdomen, MRCP, blood tests and biopsy. This gives a fair idea to the surgeon about your disease. However surgeon in India may also advise for a PET CT Scan to do the staging of the pancreatic cancer.
Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer often don’t occur until the disease is advanced. They may include:
Pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to your back
Loss of appetite or unintended weight loss
Depression
New-onset diabetes
Blood clots
Fatigue
Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
X? s? Ronglong h?m nayTreatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the stage and location of the cancer as well as on your overall health. If your cancer is located in the head of the pancreas, you may consider an operation called a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy). The Whipple procedure is technically difficult operation to remove the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and part of the bile duct.
Surgery to remove the left side (body and tail) of the pancreas is called distal pancreatectomy. Your surgeon may also remove your spleen. In some case the entire pancreas have to be removed to prevent the cancer from spreading further.
Dr Siddharth Mehrotra at Siddh Hospital is one of the best hepato biliary surgeons in India. This kind of surgery requires very high levels of surgical skills as the surgeon has to not only remove the cancerous part of the pancreas but has to make alternative connections with the stomach and intestine. Every case of pancreatic cancer would be different and would require a long surgery which is also referred as `Whipple Surgery.’ The cost of Pancreatic Cancer surgery would be in the range of Rs. 2 – 3 lacs at Siddh Hospital Moradabad while the same surgery would cost you double the amount at any of the equivalent hospitals in New Delhi or Mumbai. For query please whatsapp at +91-6396852220 or email at [email protected]