Pancreatic Cancer : In Depth - Understanding...
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A biopsy confirms whether or not you have cancer. For a biopsy, your doctor takes out cells and tissue from the suspicious spots. This might be done during another procedure to view your pancreas. A specialized doctor called a pathologist looks at the removed cells under a microscope to check for cancer. It usually takes a few days to get the results of your biopsy. Generally, after the results come back, your doctor will know for sure if you have cancer. The biopsy usually also shows what type of pancreatic cancer it is.
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Many of the tests can show whether there is a tumor in your pancreas or in the areas nearby. Based on these tests, your doctor will probably have a good idea whether you have pancreatic cancer. A biopsy can confirm for sure that you have cancer. It can also let your doctor know what kind of pancreatic cancer you have. The biopsy may be done as a separate procedure, during another test, or during surgery to remove the pancreas. A biopsy is usually done in one of these 3 ways.
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If you're having pancreatic-cancer-like symptoms, your doctor will want to know why. Your doctor is likely to ask you questions about the following things.
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There are very few things scarier than being told you have cancer. You may feel like you're in shock. You may not even want to believe what the doctor has told you. There are probably so many questions you want to ask but think you can't because you don't know where to start.
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Your doctor took a biopsy to determine that you had cancer. The doctor did this by taking a sample of cells or fluid from an area that looked suspicious in your pancreas. Your doctor needs to know the cancer's stage, which shows how much and where the cancer has spread, in order to suggest the best treatment for you. Your doctor may have learned the stage of your cancer during diagnostic tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound. Your doctor may now ask for more tests.
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Computed tomography (CT) is a test that combines x-rays and computer scans. The result is a detailed picture that can show problems with soft tissues (such as the lining of your sinuses), organs (such as your kidneys or lungs), and bones.
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ERCP stands for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This procedure is used to view the common bile duct to help locate and treat blockages in the duct. It may also be used to locate pancreas problems.
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Once cancer moves away from the pancreas, it often goes into the nearby bile ducts and lymph nodes in your abdomen. In some cases, it spreads to other nearby areas, such as the liver. Pancreatic cancer may also spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs.
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These are 2 types of stages used for cancer. The clinical stage helps your doctor decide on your first treatment, especially if surgery is a good choice for you. For pancreatic cancer, your physical exam and imaging tests determine your clinical stage.
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Stage is the word doctors use to communicate the size of a cancerous tumor and where and how far it has spread. The first place cancer is found in the body is called the primary site or primary tumor. When a cancer spreads, it's said to have metastasized.
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A prognosis is a statement about the prospect of surviving and recovering from a disease. It may sound hard to ask, "Can I survive this?” But it is a question most people have when they learn they have pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, there isn't an easy answer.
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Cancer in the pancreas is hard to treat. The sooner the cancer is found, the better the chances of survival. Here are the survival rates for pancreatic cancer according to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures 2007.
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