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Pancreatic cancer
Can pancreatic cancer patients eat eggs?
The dietary principles for pancreatic cancer are: First, eat nutritionally rich foods; second, pay attention to reasonable combinations; third, adjust the dietary structure; and fourth, appropriately include some fungi. Patients with pancreatic cancer should first consider nutrition in their diet, and can eat more high-protein, high-carbohydrate foods, such as fish, liver, eggs, milk, vegetable soup, etc., to supplement the nutrients and energy needed by the body. Based on their actual physical condition, they should adjust their diet structure and ensure nutritional balance. Therefore, it is acceptable for pancreatic cancer patients to eat eggs.
Is there still a cure for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis?
Pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis is considered to be in the advanced stage, but some patients can still benefit from treatment in terms of survival. They can choose chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and oral anti-angiogenesis medications, among others. The choice of specific medications should take into account the patient's overall condition and various other factors. The effectiveness of the treatment varies from person to person; some patients may benefit from the treatment, while others may not see significant improvement, but these options are still worth considering.
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
Ultrasound, CT, MRI, ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), PTCD (Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangio Drainage), angiography, laparoscopy, tumor markers measurement, cancer gene analysis, etc., are significantly helpful in confirming the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and determining whether it is resectable surgically. Generally, ultrasound, CA199, and CEA can be used as screening tests. Once pancreatic cancer is suspected, a CT scan is necessary. If the patient has jaundice, especially severe, and a CT scan cannot confirm the diagnosis, ERCP and PTCD can be considered. If internal drainage is successful, surgery can be delayed for one to two weeks for patients with severe jaundice. The diagnostic value of MRI for pancreatic cancer is not superior to CT. If pancreatic cancer has been confirmed but it is uncertain whether it can be surgically removed, choosing angiography and laparoscopy is also clinically meaningful.
What does pancreatic cancer ascites mean?
When pancreatic cancer causes ascites, particularly a large amount, we can collect the ascites to search for cancer cells. This generally indicates peritoneal metastasis, or metastasis above the liver which can also cause substantial ascites. In such cases, it typically signifies that the disease has progressed to a late stage, classified as stage IV. Patients in this category are unable to undergo surgery and their treatment primarily involves chemotherapy. If the patient's overall condition is good, chemotherapy can be chosen. If the patient's condition is relatively poor, targeted therapy or oral anti-angiogenesis medications may be selected to control the pancreatic cancer and manage the tumor. If the patient's condition is particularly poor, the approach involves placing a peritoneal drainage tube to remove the ascites and providing the best possible symptomatic supportive care.
Late-stage symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Late symptoms of pancreatic cancer include abdominal pain, or sore and swollen back pain, as well as nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, and discomfort of upper abdominal fullness. These are some symptoms affecting the digestive tract. Additionally, there is jaundice caused by tumor compression of the bile duct, as well as skin itching, and even fever. Some patients show clinical manifestations such as ascites when there is metastasis to the liver, or abdominal or retroperitoneal lymph nodes.
What is used for pain relief in pancreatic cancer?
If a pancreatic cancer patient is experiencing pain, the choice of pain medication can be based on the specific severity of the pain. For mild pain, mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules can be chosen initially. For moderate pain, pain relievers like tramadol can be used. If the daily dosage of tramadol exceeds eight tablets, which is two tablets each time, taken every six hours, and if the pain relief is still inadequate after 24 hours, then it might be appropriate to switch to opioid painkillers such as hydromorphone sustained-release tablets, morphine sustained-release tablets, or morphine.
What are the symptoms of late-stage pancreatic cancer?
Some common symptoms of advanced pancreatic cancer include abdominal pain and upper abdominal pain, and it is even possible to feel an obvious lump in the abdomen. Jaundice is also a common symptom. Some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain, even ascites, which is a sensation of abdominal fullness. They are unable to eat, and eating can worsen the bloating. These clinical manifestations are accompanied by clearly noticeable abdominal pain. There are also symptoms associated with distant organ metastasis, such as when metastasis to the lungs can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and even hemoptysis. Some patients may experience extensive abdominal metastasis, which can even lead to intestinal obstruction and other clinical presentations.
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in the upper abdomen and jaundice. During physical examination, a mass in the upper abdomen can be felt, which is a common symptom. When these symptoms appear, further abdominal ultrasound or CT scans should be performed, as these two are the most commonly used imaging methods for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Additionally, pancreatic MRI or PET-CT can also help enhance the diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic cancer. MRCP and ERCP are also used to assess the bile ducts and to evaluate the feasibility of surgery. Blood tests for pancreatic cancer-related tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9, are commonly performed, with CA19-9 being particularly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Which test for pancreatic cancer is the most accurate?
Abdominal ultrasound and abdominal CT scans are the most commonly used imaging methods for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Additionally, it is important to consider the patient's symptoms and blood tests for tumor markers, mainly IP antigen, CEA, and CA19-9. Confirming pancreatic cancer requires a biopsy to find cancer cells, which is the gold standard for diagnosis. Other tests can serve as screening and adjunct diagnostic tools. Confirmation requires a biopsy for pathological diagnosis or direct radical surgery followed by a postoperative pathological confirmation.
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
The clinical manifestations of pancreatic cancer mainly depend on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, whether there is metastasis, and the involvement of adjacent organs. The clinical characteristics include a short disease course, rapid progression, and swift deterioration. The most common symptom is upper abdominal distension and discomfort, pain, though not all patients experience tenderness; if tenderness is present, it aligns with the area of pain felt. Pain is a primary symptom of pancreatic cancer, present whether the cancer is located in the head or the body/tail of the pancreas. Jaundice is a main symptom of cancer in the head of the pancreas, and patients often exhibit more severe gastrointestinal symptoms, most commonly loss of appetite, followed by nausea and vomiting. There might also be diarrhea or constipation, even melena. Diarrhea is often steatorrhea. In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, common symptoms include weight loss and fatigue.