Is it already in the late stage once it is discovered? If you have these 4 symptoms, it may be the "king of cancer" that has come to you!

When cancer is mentioned, many people immediately become frightened and their faces turn pale. But do you know that there is a terrible and fierce character here, it is called pancreatic cancer . Once it occurs, it is like being stared at by the god of death, and it is difficult to escape in nine out of ten cases.

Therefore, it is also called the " king of cancer "!

Why does pancreatic cancer have such a scary name? Who is more likely to be targeted by pancreatic cancer? How to avoid the "poisonous hand" of pancreatic cancer? Today, Yan Wenhui, director of the Oncology Department of Changsha Taihe Hospital, is here to reveal the secrets for you!

1. Understand our pancreas!

The pancreas is a small organ that is not very noticeable. It is located deep in the abdomen. It is long and shaped like a cow's tongue. It is blocked by the stomach in front and protected by the intestines. Although the pancreas is not as well-known as the stomach, duodenum, liver, and gallbladder, it plays a role in digestion and participates in blood sugar regulation . Its ability should not be underestimated.

When the pancreatic juice in the pancreas is blocked, the pancreatic tissue itself will be digested, and symptoms such as edema, bleeding, and even necrosis will occur, which is what we call "pancreatitis". Attention! Once it develops into severe acute pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, it will be "life-threatening" and very dangerous!

2. Why is pancreatic cancer called the “king of cancer”?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 9%. This means that among people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, less than 10% will survive for more than five years. Pancreatic cancer is called the "king of cancer" for the following reasons:

1. Difficult to detect in the early stage

For malignant tumors, early diagnosis and early treatment are the key to improving survival rate and prognosis. However, data show that the early diagnosis rate of pancreatic cancer is less than 5% .

First, because the pancreas is located deep in the abdomen, hidden behind other organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and spleen, and is small in size, it is almost invisible during routine examinations, which increases the difficulty of early detection.

In addition, the early manifestations of pancreatic cancer are digestive tract symptoms, such as upper abdominal discomfort, indigestion, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These symptoms are not specific and can easily be mistaken for stomach problems or indigestion, thus delaying treatment. Most of them are already in the middle and late stages when they are discovered.

2. Fast development

Pancreatic cancer progresses very quickly, usually taking only a few months to a year to develop from the early stages to the middle and late stages.

More than 90% of cancerous pancreatic cells have KRAS gene mutations . This gene mutation causes the "tumor suppressor factor" to become inactivated more and more frequently. Once the seal is released, the tumor will naturally grow faster.

Pancreatic cancer also has a unique growth environment - the tumor microenvironment , which not only produces many growth factors to support the survival of tumor cells, but also resists the attack of the immune system and blocks the delivery of drugs.

3. Easy to transfer

The pancreas is rich in lymphatic vessels and blood vessels , which are the expressways for cancer cells to be transported to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, bones, brain, and kidneys. In addition, the pancreas is close to the stomach, intestines, bile ducts, and other organs, and the pancreatic alveoli have no capsule to form obstacles , so tumors can spread directly.

Statistics show that approximately 70% of pancreatic cancer patients die from extensive metastatic disease.

4. Difficulty in treatment

As mentioned above, the particularity of the pancreatic cancer microenvironment makes it difficult for drugs to penetrate and is insensitive to chemotherapy, which further limits the therapeutic effect. The "targeted therapy" that often works miracles is far from ideal for pancreatic cancer, and PD-1 immunotherapy is also difficult to implement in pancreatic cancer.

Currently, surgical resection is the only potential curative treatment for pancreatic cancer . However, only 15% to 20% of patients are suitable for surgery, and most cases have missed the best time for surgery when they are discovered. The risk of postoperative recurrence or metastasis is also very high, and the survival rate after surgery is not significantly improved. The overall five-year survival rate after surgery is less than 10% .

3. Did the “King of Cancer” not say hello at all before coming?

No!!! If you have the following 4 symptoms, you need to be alert.

1. Lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, changes in bowel habits, and weight loss;

2. No family history of diabetes, sudden increase or instability of blood sugar;

3. Unexplained upper abdominal discomfort and abdominal pain;

4. The urine gradually changes from yellow to dark brown, the eyes and skin turn yellow rapidly, and the feces become clay color.

Director Yan Wenhui introduced that the general population should have regular physical examinations. If the above-mentioned early symptoms appear, they should see a specialist as soon as possible and complete comprehensive examinations such as ultrasound, CT, and tumor markers under the guidance of a professional physician.

For people with high-risk factors, regular screening should be shortened to every six months . Regular enhanced CT examinations should also be considered. When differentiation is difficult, PET-CT or laparoscopy may be required.

4. Which types of people are most susceptible to pancreatic cancer?

Although the direct cause of pancreatic cancer is still unknown, the known risk factors for pancreatic cancer include the following:

Pancreatic cancer high risk groups

① Those over 40 years old with non-specific upper abdominal symptoms;

② Those with the above-mentioned high-risk factors for pancreatic cancer;

③ Those with a family history of pancreatic cancer;

④ Patients with sudden onset of diabetes;

⑤ Patients who have undergone distal subtotal gastrectomy for benign gastric lesions;

⑥Patients with chronic pancreatitis;

⑦ Those who smoke or drink for a long time, or have a history of long-term high-fat, high-protein diet.

5. How to avoid pancreatic cancer?

1. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, eat a balanced diet, maintain a proper weight, and exercise regularly. Obesity and diabetes, nicotine and alcohol are all high-risk factors for increasing the incidence of pancreatic cancer!

2. Avoid long-term exposure to harmful chemicals , such as naphthylamine, aniline, etc.

3. People at high risk of pancreatic cancer who have a family history of pancreatic cancer should undergo regular physical examinations , especially pancreatic imaging examinations, which will help with early detection and diagnosis, and nip pancreatic cancer in the bud.

When it comes to cancer, prevention is always better than cure . As long as you maintain healthy habits and lead an active life, most people don’t have to worry too much about pancreatic cancer. However, if you feel obviously unwell, it is recommended that you seek medical attention in time for early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment!

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Xiaozi from Changsha Taihe Hospital

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(Edited by Wx)