Best Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Best Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Why Is It So Hard to Diagnose Pancreatic Cancer Early? Symptoms, Risk Factors, Treatment and Prognosis 

Finding out that you have pancreatic cancer can be devastating, because this condition is often diagnosed at a later stage when it’s much harder to treat. Perhaps, you may be wondering what your treatment options and outcome will be, where to get care, and more as you weather this challenging experience. The team of pancreatic cancer experts at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, offers comprehensive care and the latest treatment options. We are one of the best hospitals for pancreatic cancer care in India.

Why Choose Fortis Hospital, Mulund, for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment?

The Pancreatic Cancer Program at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, brings together a diverse team of highly skilled and experienced specialists who deliver outcomes that are among the best in the nation. We are proud to offer:

• Comprehensive, personalized care – from a multidisciplinary team of top pancreatic cancer experts to give you the best outcome possible, using the most advanced techniques.
• A full range of treatment options and supportive care – to treat and manage all types of pancreatic tumors, while supporting your physical and emotional well-being.
• Surgical expertise – we are one of the few centers in the country with highly specialized, experienced surgeons who safely perform the Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) or other major pancreatic cancer surgeries in select patients. Our surgeons use minimally invasive approaches, whenever appropriate, to perform complex pancreatic cancer surgeries, including laparoscopic or robotic techniques, offering less pain and a faster recovery.
• Better outcomes – because we are one of the high-volume centers for pancreatic cancer surgeries in Mumbai, our team of experts, including surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, and nurses, has extensive experience in managing every stage of this condition, delivering better patient outcomes.

If you or someone you’re close to has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, this article can help you learn more about this disease, including the symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment options. The article will also help you understand the prognosis and what steps you can take to lower your risk of getting pancreatic cancer.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ that sits behind the stomach. The pancreas makes enzymes that aid in breaking down food and hormones that help regulate blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages, because it doesn’t usually cause symptoms in its early stages.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer can occur in various forms, including:

• Exocrine pancreatic cancer (adenocarcinoma) – most pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine cells that line the ducts of the pancreas and make digestive juices. More than 90% of pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas.
• Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) – sometimes, pancreatic tumors can develop in endocrine pancreas cells, which produce hormones that help regulate sugar levels in the bloodstream. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, also known as islet cell tumors, are a rare type, accounting for less than 10% of all pancreatic tumors.
• Ampullary cancer – a rare and aggressive type that starts in the ampulla of Vater, where the liver bile duct and pancreatic duct join and enter the small intestine.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer?

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer usually don’t show up until the disease has spread outside the pancreas and begun to impact other organs in the digestive system. Pancreatic cancer symptoms can be vague, even when the tumor is in an advanced stage, and may include:

• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Abdominal pain that spreads to the sides or back
• Light-colored or greasy stool
• Dark-colored urine
• Itchy skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Gallbladder or liver enlargement
• Blood clots
• New-onset diabetes or worsening of preexisting diabetes
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea or constipation

Consult with a doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms or notice any concerning changes in your body.

What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not clear, although experts have identified some risk factors. Pancreatic cancer happens when cells in the pancreas undergo harmful changes (mutations) in their DNA, which can be inherited or caused by some factors, or can happen by chance. These DNA mutations cause cells in the pancreas to grow uncontrollably. The resulting excessive amounts of abnormal or cancer cells then form a mass (tumor). Over time, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body.

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer 

Certain things may increase your likelihood of getting pancreatic cancer:

• Family history of pancreatic cancer
• Older age
• Being male
• Smoking and using other tobacco products
• Excessive alcohol use
• A diet high in red and processed meats
• Excess body weight, especially around the belly
• Chronic and hereditary pancreatitis
• Diabetes
• Inherited genetic mutations and syndromes
• Exposure to certain chemicals, like petrochemicals and pesticides

How Is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?

It’s difficult to find pancreatic cancer early, when your chances for a cure are high. This is because doctors can’t see or feel your pancreas (situated deep inside your abdomen) during routine screenings, which makes it difficult to spot early tumors without proper equipment. Additionally, most people have unclear or no symptoms until the disease has already spread to other organs.

If you have symptoms indicating pancreatic cancer, your oncologist or care team at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, will conduct various exams and tests, which may include:

• Physical exam, while also reviewing your medical history
• Blood tests, such as CA 19-9
• Urine and stool tests
• Imaging tests, such as endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), MRI scan, CT scan, CT/PET scan,
• Biopsy – to confirm a diagnosis
• Genetic testing – your doctor might suggest doing genetic testing, if you’re diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or have a high risk. Results from genetic testing can help guide your treatment as well as determine other family members’ risk of pancreatic cancer. 

Some of these tests can also categorize the type and stage of the disease, which will help your care team create the best treatment plan for you.

How is Pancreatic Cancer Treated?

Treatment for pancreatic cancer will depend on the type and stage of the cancer you have, as well as other factors, such as your age, overall health and preferences. 

The Pancreatic Cancer Program at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, offers a complete spectrum of care for people with pancreatic cancer. Our caring team of experts partners with you to create a plan specific to your individual needs. You may require more than one type of treatment from the following options:

Surgery

The only choice for curing pancreatic cancer is surgery, but only very few cases (about 20%) are eligible for it. There are two main surgical options for pancreatic cancer: curative surgery and palliative surgery.

Curative surgery 

 This approach gives the best chance to cure the cancer. It is used only when it’s possible to remove (resect) all the cancer that’s confined to the pancreas or to the immediately nearby tissue. Otherwise, it may not provide clinical benefit. 

Curative surgery can be performed in different procedures, depending on the size and location of the tumor:

• Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy) – a complex surgery that involves removing the head of your pancreas, gallbladder, part of the small intestine and bile duct, nearby lymph nodes, and sometimes part of your stomach.
• Distal pancreatectomy – removes the body and tail of the pancreas, and in some cases, the spleen.
• Total pancreatectomy – removes the entire pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, spleen, and part of the stomach and small intestine.

The hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeons at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, use a variety of innovative surgical techniques to treat pancreatic cancer – both open methods and minimally invasive methods, including laparoscopic or robotic surgeries – based on each patient’s specific case.

• Palliative surgery – this type of surgery is not intended to cure, but to relieve symptoms of cancer that’s widespread and cannot be completely removed. Techniques used to help relieve symptoms or prevent complications, such as blockage of the bile duct, include:
• Stent placement – it involves inserting a metal or plastic tube (stent) to help keep the bile duct open.
• Bypass surgeries – the surgeon will create a bypass, re-routing the flow of bile from the bile duct directly to the intestine.

Chemotherapy

It uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used as a stand-alone treatment, particularly in advanced pancreatic cancers. It can also be given before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink the tumor or after surgery (adjuvant therapy) to destroy any remaining cancer cells or prevent recurrence. Sometimes, chemotherapy may be combined with radiation or targeted therapy.

Radiation therapy

This treatment uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often given after chemotherapy. It may also be used before or after surgery.

Targeted therapy

This drug treatment works by targeting certain proteins that promote the growth and spread of cancer cells. Targeted therapy may be used along with other treatments.

Palliative care 

This specialized care can help provide relief from pain and other symptoms of pancreatic cancer, which could be very painful as the disease progresses to an advanced stage. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both patients and their families. Palliative care can be used along with curative treatment.

What are the Complications of Pancreatic Cancer Surgery?

The Whipple procedure and other pancreatic surgeries are major operations that can cause complications. Your surgeon will recommend surgery only if the benefits of having surgery outweigh the possible risks. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our highly experienced surgeons use advanced methods that make pancreatic surgery safer for most patients.

Common complications that may arise following pancreatic cancer surgery include:

• Infections
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Pancreatic leak or fistula from the surgical site
• Bile leaks
• Abscesses and fluid collection
• Chest infection
• Delayed gastric emptying
• Diabetes
• Malabsorption

What is the Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer?

The long-term prognosis for pancreatic cancer will depend on many factors – the size and type of tumor, lymph node involvement, the extent of spread at the time of diagnosis, how well your treatment works, and your overall health. Sadly, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at later stages when the disease has spread, making it more difficult to treat. Despite this, pancreatic cancer has the potential to be cured if caught early and treated. Moreover, the average 5-year survival rates of 13% for pancreatic cancer, which are still much lower than other cancers, are gradually improving over the years – thanks to new and improved treatments. 

Can You Prevent Pancreatic Cancer?

There’s no reliable way that can help you prevent pancreatic cancer, but you can reduce your risk by:

• Not smoking
• Avoiding or limiting alcohol intake
• Eating a nutritious diet, focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables
• Reducing intake of red and processed meats
• Exercising often
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Takeaway

Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers, and a diagnosis of this condition can feel overwhelming. But surgery can cure pancreatic cancer if diagnosed very early. That’s why it’s important to seek medical help without any delay in case of having any symptoms related to pancreatic cancer, which will increase the chances of successful treatment and a better outcome. Furthermore, it’s a great idea to discuss your risk of developing pancreatic cancer, especially if you have a first-degree family member with the disease.