The increase in pancreatic cancer is rising sharply in France. Causes, symptoms, treatment… we take stock of this deadly disease.
Pancreatic cancer is the most feared because the chances of survival or chances of cure are low.
What is pancreatic cancer?
The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen, which is a gland that produces enzymes that aid digestion, as well as insulin and other important hormones that help the body absorb sugar and control blood sugar.
Like all other cancers, pancreatic cancer develops when its cells grow out of control and grow into a tumor.
Rising cases?
The number of new cases has been steadily increasing for years. In 2018, cancer affected 14,184 people in France according to the National Cancer Institutewhich corresponds to an increase of 2.6% per year for men and 3.2% for women.
In 2018 in France, pancreatic cancer was the 9e most common cancer in men and the 7e most common cancer in women.
According to the IARC, this cancer is one of the few in constant increase with 458,918 cases recorded in 2018 in the world, the forecasts count on 484,486 cases in 2020, 557,688 cases in 2025 and 815,276 cases in 2040.
little chance of survival
5,790 deaths in 2018 were linked to pancreatic cancer.
The prognosis is generally unfavorable for the patients: the median survival being less than one year following the diagnosis and the survival at 5 years is approximately 5 to 10%. As for a complete remission, cases are extremely rare.
The French National Society of Gastroenterologythe SNFGE, also wanted to warn once morest the surge in cases but above all on the fact that currently it is the third cause of death from cancer and it might be the second cause “by 2030- 2040, in France and around the world.”
Examination to identify the tumor
To visualize the tumor in the pancreas, an ultrasound cannot allow it because of its position in the body.
On the other hand, a scanner or an MRI can detect the presence of a possible tumor. As well as assess its size, extent and exact location. An echo-endoscopy and a biopsy will specify the examination in order to decide on the therapeutic follow-up.
Diagnostic difficile
The low survival is due to the fact that pancreatic cancer is generally diagnosed late because it is precisely difficult to diagnose.
In 60% of cases, the cancer is discovered at the metastatic stage, in a third of cases it is not possible to operate, the cancerous cells being too extensive.
The cancer is discovered late because the symptoms are not significant.
Symptoms
Symptoms that are not specific to the disease: loss of appetite, anorexia, unexplained fatigue, abdominal or back pain, jaundice and diabetes are the main symptoms.
The causes
The cause of the increase in this type of cancer is still unknown.
However, there are risk factors that can promote the development of this cancer, such as smoking, obesity, overweight.
Without counting the genetic predispositions where an oncogenetic consultation can be proposed.
People with diabetes or certain forms of chronic pancreatitis are at higher risk, as the site reports. e-cancer.
Treatments
Surgery is the main treatment possible for pancreatic cancer by removing the part of the gland on which the tumor has grown, as well as the neighboring organs or parts of affected organs.
However, as these cancers are diagnosed late, the cancerous cells have spread too far and it is no longer possible to operate.
Then there is chemotherapy before and or following surgery or instead of an operation.
