Why is pancreatic cancer a silent killer? Understand the warning signs

Pancreatic cancer is often referred to as a "silent killer" because it tends to exhibit minimal or vague symptoms in its early stages, making it challenging to detect.

It is a type of cancer that starts in the pancreas, located behind the stomach and helps with digestion and hormone production.

Pancreatic cancer is quite prevalent in India, and it is considered to be the 11th most common type of cancer in the country.

Dr Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology, Unique Hospital Cancer Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi, said that the risk of pancreatic cancer increases due to smoking and an unhealthy lifestyle.

The risk factors include smoking, obesity, high intake of red and processed meat and genetic disposition.

 

 "Understanding and awareness are two important ways to fight pancreatic cancer. It's about catching it early, providing effective treatments, and supporting patients throughout their journey," Dr Ashish Gupta told IndiaToday.

According to Dr Ishu Gupta, a distinguished medical oncologist and director of the Cancer Day Care Center, told IndiaToday.In the silent progression and vague symptoms of pancreatic cancer contribute to late detection, with only 15-20% of cases being operable at diagnosis.

WHY IS PANCREATIC CANCER A SILENT KILLER?

Location: The pancreas is situated deep within the abdomen, making it difficult for early tumours to cause noticeable symptoms or for healthcare professionals to detect them through physical examination.

 

Lack of early signs: In the initial stages, pancreatic cancer may not present clear warning signs. When symptoms do appear, they are often non-specific and can be attributed to various other, less severe conditions.

Rapid progression: Pancreatic cancer tends to grow and spread quickly. As a result, the time between the onset of symptoms and an advanced stage of the disease can be relatively short, reducing the opportunity for early intervention.

COMMON WARNING SIGNS OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Abdominal pain: Pain or discomfort in the abdomen, often radiating to the back, is a common symptom.

Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to the build-up of bilirubin. This can occur if the tumour blocks the bile ducts.

Unexplained weight loss: Significant, unexplained weight loss can be an indicator of various types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer.

Loss of appetite: A diminished desire to eat, often associated with weight loss.

Digestive issues: Changes in bowel habits, such as light-coloured stools, dark urine, or greasy/fatty stools, can occur when the tumour affects the digestive process.

New-onset diabetes: In some cases, pancreatic cancer can lead to the development of diabetes, especially if the tumour affects the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

TREATMENT FOR PANCREATIC CANCER

India witnesses a high mortality rate of pancreatic cancer due to late-stage diagnoses and limited treatment options, suggested Dr Ishu Gupta.

He added that the 5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains dismally low at around 3-5%, emphasising the urgent need for improved early detection methods and innovative therapeutic approaches.

Dr Ishu Gupta said, "Surgical resection offers the best chance of cure, but many patients are ineligible due to late-stage diagnosis. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy aim to control the disease and alleviate symptoms, yet outcomes remain modest.

Some treatments include precision oncology and immunotherapy. Precision oncology tailors treatment strategies to the specific molecular characteristics of a patient's tumour.

Immunotherapy harnesses the body's immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.

Dr Ashish Gupta talked about a new chemotherapy treatment called NALIRIFOX, a combination of three previously approved pancreatic cancer drugs.

 

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