The pancreas is an organ that is located right below the stomach. It functions to secrete enzymes that regulate digestion, and also helps regulate hormone and sugar levels in the body. Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate because the cancer exhibits few symptoms until it is in the advanced stages.
Two Types Of Pancreatic Cancer
The pancreas contains glands that are made of exocrine and endocrine cells. The exocrine gland secretes an enzyme that helps the body break down fat and protein. The endocrine gland produces insulin and other hormones to regulate the blood sugar levels. Cancer of the exocrine gland is the most common form of pancreatic cancer.
Whipple Procedure
The Whipple procedure, or pancreatoduodenectomy, is a surgical technique that involves removing the head of the pancreas and parts of other surrounding organs, including the gall bladder, small intestine, bile duct and stomach.
Distal Pancreatectomy
A distal pancreatectomy is removal of the tail of the pancreas, and possibly the spleen. The purpose of both surgical techniques is to remove the cancerous part of the pancreas so it doesn't spread to the rest of the organs.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy involves the use of targeted radiation, either internally or externally to destroy the cancerous cells in the pancreas. External radiation therapy involves using a machine outside of the body to direct the radiation at the tumor. Internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy, involves the placement of the source of irradiation inside the body near the tumor. This "seed is kept inside the body for a prescribed period of time, and then removed.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of one or more drugs to kill the pancreatic cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used in conjunction with each other.
Tags: exocrine gland, inside body, pancreatic cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, radiation therapy, sugar levels