Pancreatic cancer
By Nahomie Gourdet
Definition
Pancreas : is an organ found deep in the body, behind the stomach. It is shaped a little bit like a fish, about 6 inches long and less than 2 inches wide across the belly.
Pancreatic Cancer: Is a disease in which malignant cells are found in the tissues of the Pancreas.
Pancreatic Cancer Classification Stages
Stage 0 of Pancreatic Cancer
In stage 0, abnormal cells are found in the lining of the pancreas. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ .
Stage l
In stage I, cancer has formed and is found in the pancreas only. Stage I is divided into stage IA and stage
IB, based on the size of the tumor.
Stage IA: The tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller.
Stage IB: The tumor is larger than 2 centimeters.
Stage ll
In stage II, cancer may have spread to nearby tissue and organs, and may have spread to lymph nodes near the pancreas. Stage II is divided into stage IIA and stage IIB, based on where the cancer has spread.
Stage IIA: Cancer has spread to nearby tissue and organs but has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage ll B
Stage IIB: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and may have spread to nearby tissue and organs.
Stage lll
In stage III, cancer has spread to the major blood vessels near the pancreas and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage lV
In stage IV, cancer may be of any size and has spread to distant organs, such as the liver, lung, and peritoneal cavity. It may have also spread to organs and tissues near the pancreas or to lymph nodes. Signs And Symptoms
Pain in the Upper abdomen from the tumor Pushing against nerves
A Painless yellowing of the skin and the eyes and darkening of the urine called JAUNDICE, created when cancer interferes with the bile duct and the liver.
Loss of appetite, nausea, and Vomiting
Significant weight loss and weakness
Definition
Pancreas : is an organ found deep in the body, behind the stomach. It is shaped a little bit like a fish, about 6 inches long and less than 2 inches wide across the belly.
Pancreatic Cancer: Is a disease in which malignant cells are found in the tissues of the Pancreas.
Pancreatic Cancer Classification Stages
Stage 0 of Pancreatic Cancer
In stage 0, abnormal cells are found in the lining of the pancreas. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ .
Stage l
In stage I, cancer has formed and is found in the pancreas only. Stage I is divided into stage IA and stage
IB, based on the size of the tumor.
Stage IA: The tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller.
Stage IB: The tumor is larger than 2 centimeters.
Stage ll
In stage II, cancer may have spread to nearby tissue and organs, and may have spread to lymph nodes near the pancreas. Stage II is divided into stage IIA and stage IIB, based on where the cancer has spread.
Stage IIA: Cancer has spread to nearby tissue and organs but has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage ll B
Stage IIB: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and may have spread to nearby tissue and organs.
Stage lll
In stage III, cancer has spread to the major blood vessels near the pancreas and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage lV
In stage IV, cancer may be of any size and has spread to distant organs, such as the liver, lung, and peritoneal cavity. It may have also spread to organs and tissues near the pancreas or to lymph nodes. Signs And Symptoms
Pain in the Upper abdomen from the tumor Pushing against nerves
A Painless yellowing of the skin and the eyes and darkening of the urine called JAUNDICE, created when cancer interferes with the bile duct and the liver.
Loss of appetite, nausea, and Vomiting
Significant weight loss and weakness
References: www.medscape.com/pancreticcancer/