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Famous ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas died on Monday after reportedly battling pancreatic cancer for several months. Pancreatic cancer develops due to uncontrolled cell growth in the pancreas, a gland located in the abdomen that plays an important role in digestion and controlling blood sugar. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice and stomach or back pain, however, these may not appear until the later stages. Pancreatic cancer may have risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, and family history. The risk of suffering from pancreatic cancer is high because the disease is difficult to diagnose in its early stages. (Also read: Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas’ last rites will be held today, says daughter Nayaab Udhas)
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
“Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant (cancerous) cells in your pancreas change and grow out of control, forming a tumor. Your pancreas is a 6-inch-long, spongy, tube-shaped organ that Located between your spine and stomach. Its main function is to make digestive juices (known as enzymes) and hormones including insulin that help control blood-sugar levels, starches, and enzymes that aid digestion. Play an important role. Most of the pancreatic cancers develop in the ducts of your pancreas. It is difficult to detect and treat pancreatic cancer in the early stage. Therefore this type of cancer becomes fatal as it is often diagnosed in the advanced stage. is when treatment options are limited. Early detection and treatment is important,” says Dr. Says Bir Singh Sehrawat, Director and HOD – Gastroenterology, Marengo Asia Hospital, Faridabad.
“Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers, affecting more than 4 lakh people in India every year. It occurs when abnormal cells grow in the pancreas, an organ that produces enzymes for digestion and metabolism. Produces hormones for. Pancreatic cancer often occurs. “Symptoms do not appear until it reaches an advanced stage,” says Dr Pushpak Chirmade, consultant, medical oncology at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Navi Mumbai. “Which makes it difficult to diagnose and treat.”
causes of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer can develop due to lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight and eating too many processed foods.
“The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown, but some factors that may increase the risk include smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, and family history. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which begins in the exocrine cells. “Produce digestive enzymes. A rare type is pancreas neuroendocrine tumor, which begins in endocrine cells that produce hormones,” says Dr. Chirmade.
“The exact cause of this disease is still unclear. However, there are certain factors that can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. These include tobacco use (cigarettes or smoking in any form), heavy alcohol consumption, chronic and hereditary Pancreatitis, being overweight or obese (especially in early adulthood), consumption of red and processed meat, fried foods, a diet high in sugar or cholesterol. Men have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than women. People who work with certain chemicals, especially those used in metal work and pesticides, have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hepatitis B, and a personal or family history of this condition, says Dr. Sehrawat. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer may be higher.
Diagnosis and treatment
“Treatment options may include surgery (such as tumor resection or pancreaticoduodenectomy), chemotherapy (usually using drugs such as gemcitabine or Folfirinox), radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these methods. The goal of treatment is often to control the cancer, reduce symptoms, and improve the patient’s quality of life. However, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which can limit treatment options and make long-term survival challenging to achieve. Therefore, early detection and prompt intervention are important in the management of this disease,” says Dr Deepanjan Panda, senior consultant, Medical Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
“To diagnose it, the patients’ symptoms and medical history are examined. The patient is advised to undergo CT scan, blood test and two special procedures that can help in accurately identifying pancreatic cancer Such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) assisted cholangioscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS),” says Dr Sehrawat.
“Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is based on imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan, and PET scan, which can show the size and location of the tumor. A biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of tissue from the pancreas, makes the diagnosis. The blood test can also measure levels of tumor markers like CA19-9, which pancreatic cancer cells produce,” says Dr Chirmade.
According to Dr. Sehrawat the main treatment options are,
Radiation therapy: Patients are advised to undergo radiation therapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. X-rays and other high-energy rays are used to destroy cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Here, anticancer drugs are used to kill cancer cells and help prevent their future growth.
Targeted therapy: Drugs and antibodies are used to target cancer cells without harming other cells.
Dr. Chirmade says that the treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the overall health of the patient and the main options are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of these.
“Surgery is performed to remove the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue, but this is only possible for about 20% of patients whose cancer has not spread to other organs. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill cancer cells or Prevent them from growing. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays that damage cancer cells or make them more sensitive to chemotherapy,” says the expert.
Recent advances in pancreatic cancer research have led to the development of new treatments that target specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as genetic mutations, the immune system, or the tumor environment. some examples are:
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: This is chemotherapy given before surgery, which aims to shrink the tumor and improve the chances of complete removal.
- Immunotherapy: This is a type of therapy that boosts the body’s natural defenses against cancer. One example is pembrolizumab, a drug that blocks a protein called PD-1 that cancer cells use to evade the immune system.
Lifestyle changes to reduce pancreatic cancer risk
Dr. Sehrawat suggests some lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer:
- Quit or limit smoking: Avoid excessive alcohol consumption as excessive drinking can increase the risk of chronic pancreatitis and possibly pancreatic cancer.
- Try to maintain a healthy weight by doing regular exercise, yoga and eating a balanced diet
- Avoid consumption of red meat, processed meat, sugar and fried foods. Instead, you should include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your daily diet.
“Pancreatic cancer is a challenging disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach and individualized care. Patients and their families should consult with their doctors about the best treatment options available to them and the latest clinical trials. Early detection, prevention and awareness are also important to improve outcomes and quality of life of pancreatic cancer patients,” Dr Chirmade concluded.
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