Pancreatic Cancer

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.

The 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.

Symptoms & Treatment

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

Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

Treatment 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.

Best Doctors and Cost

Dr Singh is one of the best and extensively trained cancer specialist and cancer surgeon in bihar for treatment of pancreatic cancer at Umeed Hospital, Purnia India. The cost of Pancreatic Cancer Treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer. In early stage pancreatic cancer the treatment could be surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Whereas in case of advanced stage it could be chemotherapy/radiotherapy followed by surgery. Hence the exact cost for the cancer treatment cannot be ascretained as it depends upon case to case. If you have an individual health insurance policy then this surgery is covered after a period of 1 month from the date of inception of the policy. However if you are a beneficiary of company given policy then the surgery is covered from day one. Always go through the terms of your health insurance policy like room rent capping and co-payment to avoid any kind of financial shocks later on.