Pancreatic Cancer Surgery in Jaipur

Overview - Pancreatic Cancer Surgery in Jaipur

Pancreatic cancer impacts the pancreas, a digestive gland located in your abdomen. Common signs of pancreatic cancer encompass feelings of nausea, abdominal bloating, fatigue, jaundice, and a diminished appetite. Available treatment options involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The low survival rates associated with pancreatic cancer are primarily due to the challenge of early detection.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer commences when abnormal cells within the pancreas multiply uncontrollably, giving rise to a tumor.

The pancreas, a gland situated deep in the abdominal cavity, lies between the stomach and the spine. It plays a vital role in digestion by producing enzymes and regulating blood sugar levels with its hormones.

Organs, including the pancreas, consist of cells that typically divide when necessary and undergo a natural cycle of replacement as old cells expire. Occasionally, this process malfunctions, leading to the proliferation of new cells when they are not needed, and old cells fail to die off. The surplus cells can aggregate into a mass of tissue known as a tumor.

Some tumors are non-cancerous, meaning they are abnormal but lack the capacity to invade other body parts.

In contrast, a cancerous tumor is malignant. Its cells multiply uncontrollably and can metastasize to other tissues and organs.

Even when cancer extends to different parts of the body, it retains its designation as pancreatic cancer if it initially originated in the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer frequently spreads to the liver, abdominal wall, lungs, bones, and lymph nodes.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancers are categorized as either exocrine or neuroendocrine (endocrine) tumors, depending on the type of cells from which they originate. Understanding the tumor’s type is crucial because each exhibits distinct behavior and necessitates different treatment approaches.

Exocrine tumors constitute the majority, comprising over 90% of pancreatic cancers. The prevalent form of pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma.

In contrast, neuroendocrine tumors, also known as pancreatic NETs or PNETs and occasionally referred to as islet cell tumors, represent less than 10% of pancreatic tumors. They often exhibit a slower growth rate compared to exocrine tumors.

Causes Pancreatic Cancer

We don’t know exactly what causes pancreatic cancer. However, experts have identified some risk factors.

• A risk factor refers to something that heightens your likelihood of developing a specific disease. Common risk factors for pancreatic cancer encompass:
• Smoking tobacco in the form of cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products.
• Obesity, particularly when excess weight is concentrated around your waist.
• Diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes. The sudden onset of diabetes may serve as an indicator of potential pancreatic cancer.
• Exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides and petrochemicals.
• Chronic pancreatitis is a persistent inflammation of the pancreas.
• Hereditary chronic pancreatitis resulting from genetic alterations (mutations) transmitted from biological parent to child.
• Hereditary syndromes associated with gene mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, can be passed from biological parent to child.

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer can manifest with subtle and unexplained symptoms, including:

• Pain, typically in the abdomen or back.
• Unintended weight loss.
• Jaundice, is characterized by yellowing of the skin, eyes, or both, with or without itching.
• Decreased appetite.
• Nausea.
• Alterations in stool.
• Pancreatitis involves swelling of the pancreas.
• Recent-onset diabetes.

If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to promptly consult your GI surgeon in Jaipur and discuss the possibility of pancreatic cancer.

How Is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?

A pancreatic tumor becomes visible through imaging studies like a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Following this, the doctor extracts a tissue sample from the tumor to determine the precise diagnosis.

What Treatments Exist for Pancreatic Cancer?

Surgery:

Surgery is the sole viable method for curing pancreatic cancer. However, surgeons typically advise it only when they believe they can eradicate the entire cancerous growth. In cases where complete removal is unfeasible, the benefits are limited.

For surgery to achieve its intended outcome, the cancer must be entirely restricted to the pancreas. Nevertheless, in some instances, achieving total cancer removal may prove challenging.

Several surgical techniques are available, contingent on the tumor’s size and location:

Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy):

If the tumor is located in the head of the pancreas (the widest section, near the small intestine), a GI cancer surgeon may recommend the Whipple procedure. This surgical approach involves the removal of the pancreatic head, duodenum (the initial part of the small intestine), gallbladder, a segment of the bile duct, and adjacent lymph nodes.

Distal Pancreatectomy:

In the case of a tumor in the tail of the pancreas, a GI cancer surgeon can perform a distal pancreatectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon removes the pancreatic tail and a portion of the pancreatic body. In most instances, the spleen is also removed. To address the potential loss of immune function associated with spleen removal, your healthcare provider may recommend specific vaccinations before undergoing a distal pancreatectomy.

Total Pancreatectomy:

When cancer has spread throughout the entire pancreas, yet surgical resection is still an option, your GI cancer surgeon may contemplate a total pancreatectomy. This surgery entails the complete removal of your pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, and a portion of your stomach and small intestine.

Living without a pancreas is possible, but it may lead to significant side effects. The pancreas plays a crucial role in producing insulin and other hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. Without a pancreas, you will develop diabetes and require insulin injections for survival. Additionally, you’ll need to take pancreatic enzyme pills to assist with digestion.

Why Choose Dr. Saurabh Kalia For Pancreatic Cancer Surgery in Jaipur?

Choosing a GI surgeon in Jaipur for pancreatic cancer surgery is a crucial decision, and several factors should be considered. Here are some reasons why you might consider him for pancreatic cancer surgery:

Expertise and Experience: Dr. Saurabh Kalia is a specialized GI cancer surgeon with extensive experience in performing surgeries for pancreatic cancer.

Subspecialization: Dr. Kalia’s subspecialization in GI cancer surgery means he has in-depth knowledge and experience specific to the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Individualized Treatment: Dr. Saurbah Kalia is likely to provide personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique situation. He will evaluate the stage of the cancer, and the patient’s overall health.

Positive Patient Outcomes: Dr. Saurabh Kalia’s history of successful surgeries and positive patient testimonials can provide confidence in his abilities and the quality of care he provides.