When cells in the pancreas become malignant, the disease is termed as pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is an organ just behind the stomach. Its main function is to produce digestive juices and insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
Exocrine cells in pancreas make digestive juices and endocrine cells make the hormones. Most often, pancreatic cancer occurs in the exocrine cells but can spread to other parts of the gland. The disease is more commonly seen in men than in women.

Causes of Pancreatic Cancer: All cancer types occur due to abnormal cell growth. The cause of the cell growth may vary for different types of the disease. There is no known cause of pancreatic cancer. But there are several risk factors that can increase a person’s chances of getting affected by the disease.
• Changes in the DNA structure of the cells
• Inflammation or swelling in the pancreas
• Heredity
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Diet devoid of sufficient fiber but high in fat
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Diabetes
• Problems in the liver such as cirrhosis

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer: Pancreatic cancer symptoms often develop once the disease has advanced sufficiently. Even at these later stages, the signs of pancreatic cancer are mostly non-specific to the disease and this makes the diagnosis difficult.
• Abdomen pain especially in the middle or upper parts of the organ can occur when cancer cells exert pressure on the organ tissues. Back pain can also be a possible pancreatic cancer symptom.
• The skin can turn yellow along with the white areas in the eyes (jaundice) when malignant pancreatic cancer cells begin to affect the liver.
• Appetite loss, vomiting and feeling of nausea are common pancreatic cancer symptoms.
• Unexplained or sudden weight loss
• Fatigue, feelings of weakness
• Depression
• Fatty stools
• Itchy skin
• Formation of blood clots
• Enlargement of liver or gallbladder can occur when malignant pancreatic cells begin to affect these nearby organs.

Diagnosis: Depending on an individual’s symptoms, the doctor may order tests to confirm the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. These tests may include one or more of the following
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography scan (CT)
• Biopsy
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• Angiogram
• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)
• Laparosopy
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Blood tests
Treatment: Treatment for pancreatic cancer can involve several different approaches.
• Surgery Through surgical procedures, it is possible to completely remove cancerous cells from the patient’s body. But only if the cancer has not spread to a larger part of the gland.
– Whipple procedure is a complex and risky surgery. It is used to remove the entire pancreas or the head of the organ along with other nearby tissues from stomach or the duodenum.
– Total pancreatectomy removes the spleen along with entire pancreas.
– Distal pancreatectomy removes the end part of pancreas and the spleen.
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Among various types of cancers, multiple myeloma is one rare form that affects the blood and white blood cells. This is also a form of leukemia and the treatment of multiple myeloma is fairly complex and involves many kinds of measures. Let us cast a glance on the same and learn about the disease as well as the treatment of Multiple Myeloma

· What is Multiple Myeloma: There are various kinds of red blood cells and white blood cells as well as other elements that are present in our blood. When a certain kind of white blood cell or plasma begins to grow and multiply in an abnormal manner, then it gives rise to leukemia and its various kinds. Multiple myeloma is one such form of blood cancer or leukemia is born from the manifestation and growth of such white blood cells. In this form of cancer, the white blood cells release too much of immunoglobulin which causes widespread damage to the organs of the body even as it causes problems for the skin and bones. This also ends up crowding the normal blood cells of the body, which makes the patient susceptible to a host of infections and complications.

· Causes: The exact cause of this disease is still not known as per medical science. Doctors do know that it usually hits people who are 65+ years of age, and it also hits people from a certain ethnicity and also those who have a family history of this disease. Also, those who are already suffering from other plasma cell related diseases are more susceptible when it comes to this form of cancer.

· Symptoms: There are a number of symptoms that will come with the onset of this disease. But the issue is that most of these symptoms are so subtle in the initial stages that one may not even notice them, or end up ignoring them as pains and aches. This is where the progression happens and takes over the body in an adverse way, which makes treatment of the disease extremely challenging. The main symptoms of the disease include weakness and fatigue as well as pain in the bones and joints of the patient. Also, appetite loss may happen which will lead to weight loss and other related problems.

· Diagnosis and Treatment: The diagnosis will usually be done with a CBC or a complete blood count which will seek to find the damage done by the plasma cells to the organs. Also, the doctor will check if there is too much calcium in the system, which is usually one of the earliest signs of this disease. High protein levels may also help in timely diagnosis of the condition. The treatment will be done with the help of stem cell transplant which is why banking the stem cell of your new born baby is such an important task today. Chemotherapy and drug therapy will also be combined for effective treatment of the condition.

What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is the cancer that occurs in the plasma cells. As you know, plasma cells are a type of white blood cells which is responsible for maintaining the immune system of the body. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and produces antibodies to protect your body from catching infections. In multiple myeloma, a group of plasma cells behaves abnormally, multiplies, and gets accumulated in the bone marrow. Instead of antibodies, the cancerous cells produce harmful proteins. The condition will lead to damage of kidney, immune system, bones etc.

What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
In some patients, multiple myeloma produces no symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease. Commonly found symptoms in patients with multiple myeloma are:
â Fatigue, weakness and tiredness
â Pain in the bones especially spine, skull, hips etc. It can occur in any bone. Sudden back pain may also occur.
â Bone weakness leading to frequent injuries or fractures
â Low blood count leading to dizziness, anemia
â High calcium levels
â Muscle weakness
â Numbness in the legs
â Extreme thirst and drowsy feeling
â Confusion and lack of clarity in thoughts
â Loss of appetite
â Constipation
â Frequent urination
â Kidney problems

How is it multiple myeloma treated?
Advancement in medical research has given effective options in treatment multiple myeloma. Often the treatment is based on the stage and type of multiple myeloma. The major treatment methods include:
â Chemotherapy: Drugs in the form of pills or injection are given to kill the myeloma cells.
â Corticosteroids: This, injection or pill, will help to regulate the immune system of the body.
â Stem-cell transplantation: This is the most effective treatment option for people suffering from the severe symptoms of multiple myeloma. In the process, the unhealthy bone marrow is replaced with healthy cells.
â Immunotherapy: This process uses antibodies to fight against the cancer cells.
â Radiation therapy: High energy electron beams are used to kill the plasma cells.

What are the complications of multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma may continue in the body without showing any symptoms for a long time, and some people have a normal life although they show up a few symptoms. But for a few others, the condition may cause severe complications and worsen within a short span of time. The condition will limit the ability of the body to fight against infection. It can also create weakness in the bone leading to fractures and thinning of the bones. Higher calcium levels can sometimes lead to damage in the kidney function.

Is multiple myeloma curable?
Finding a complete cure from multiple myeloma is still under research. However, different treatment options are available for limiting the symptoms and complications caused by the disease. It is mostly seen in people after 40 years of age. The life expectancy of multiple myeloma patients has gone higher, and is between 5 to 25 years, according to latest research.

Pancreatic cancer arises in the pancreas of the patient. The problem with the detection and treatment of this disease is that there are very few symptoms that may point at the existence of this disease in the early stages. This is why it goes largely undetected. By the time the diagnosis happens, the progression of the disease makes it very difficult to treat and the outlook for recovery is generally not that great. Let us take a deeper look at the pancreatic cancer symptoms and signs.

· Symptoms based on the Location of the Disease: In this kind of cancer, the location plays a large role in the kind of symptoms that the patient would experience. If the cancer has started in the head of the pancreas, then it would come with various symptoms like headaches, nausea as well as vomiting, jaundice which would leave you with yellowing skin and eyes. Pain in the back and abdomen would also be felt if the pancreatic cancer has started in this portion. Itching and enlarged lymph nodes are some of the symptoms. If the pancreatic cancer has started in the body or the tail of the pancreas, then unexplained weight loss as well as back pain and discomfort in the belly would be the most commonly experienced symptoms.

· Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Signs: Among the various pancreatic cancer signs, there are many that have to do with the gastrointestinal health of the patient. Pain in the abdomen is one of the many symptoms that is usually experienced by over 80% of the patients suffering from this cancer, as per various medical studies and reports. Further, bloating and loose motions will also be commonly and frequently experienced due to the cancerous growth in this region. Apart from this, the patient will also find pale hued stools and nausea. Also, the pain that starts in the abdomen will frequently radiate in a dull way towards the back of the patient.

· Whole Body Symptoms: The rest of the body will also get affected by this kind of cancer. To begin with, the patient will report a spike in the blood sugar levels due to the malfunction of the pancreas. This may also lead to additional complications like the development of diabetes, if not treated and contained on time. This is due to the fact that the pancreas are supposed to release insulin, which may not happen when the pancreas are impaired due to the cancer. Also, the patient may experience loss of appetite and malaise due to the same, because the brain will still register hunger and headaches will strike if this hunger is not satisfied in a timely manner with proper nutrition.

· Symptoms that show up on the Skin: A number of Pancreatic cancer symptoms may also show up on the skin in the form of a yellow pallor due to the prevalence of jaundice and itching as well.

Pancreatic cancer is the presence of malignant cells in the pancreas. This organ is located behind the stomach. Pancreatic cancer signs do not appear in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, for people with a family history of the disease or those who have cysts in the pancreas, it may be helpful to get screening tests for a timely diagnosis.

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known. Some risk factors include aging and smoking.

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
In the advanced stages of pancreatic cancer, signs and symptoms of the disease are easily recognizable.
â One of the main pancreatic cancer symptoms is jaundice. The patient’s skin may begin to turn yellow and the color of the urine can darken. Jaundice can occur if the tumor obstructs the bile duct causing an accumulation of bile inside the liver.

â Severe or frequent ache in the abdomen can be a pancreatic cancer sign. The pain can begin in the upper part of the abdomen and spread to the back. This must be pain that is new-onset. This type of pain occurs due to the pressure of the tumor on the spine or the abdomen.

â Unexplained weight loss is another classic pancreatic cancer sign.

â New-onset diabetes can be a pancreatic cancer symptom. Pancreas produces insulin and a deficiency of this hormone causes diabetes. In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, diabetes often occurs.

â Fatigue is a common symptom of most types of cancers including tumors in the pancreas.

â Clots in the blood can form due to cancer in the pancreas.

â Vomiting, nausea or indigestion can also occur as a result of pancreatic cancer.

â Fatty and foul-smelling stools can result due to pancreatic cancer. The tumor can lead to indigestion and bowel disturbances, which can cause stools to become fatty.

â Appetite loss can occur due to other pancreatic cancer symptoms like indigestion and bowel troubles.

â Pain due to eating or back pain, which doesn’t radiate from abdomen pain, are also possible.

Seeking Treatment
Pancreatic cancer symptoms are quite common. These could indicate a less serious problem.

â But if one or more of the signs occur frequently or the pain is persistent, it can be a good idea to see a doctor. If one or more risk factors of the disease are present, keeping a record of different pancreatic cancer signs can help with early diagnosis of the disease. The doctor may advise you to keep a diary of symptoms with systematic record of frequency and severity factors of each.

â Depending on a person’s symptoms, the doctor may confirm a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer through tests like CT scans, MRI, PET scans or endoscopic ultrasound. Along with these tests, the doctor may also perform a biopsy of the pancreatic tissue.

â Depending on the stage of the cancer and the health of the patient, the doctor may then devise a treatment plan. These can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

‘Cancer’ is one word that evokes fear in anyone’s heart because it is one of the biggest killers in terms of the various diseases that hit people the world over. As per various studies conducted by medical bodies like the WHO, cancer is one of the most common fatal diseases around the world. Cancer comes with various symptoms as well as treatment options depending on the types of cancer that the patient may be suffering from. Let us learn more about the kind of cancer symptoms and cancer treatment options that are available.

· Cancer Symptoms for Women: Cancer can hit men and women in various ways, and for various organs. One of the most common forms of cancer for women includes breast cancer as well as ovarian cancer. The most common symptoms that will be seen in such cases include dimpling and rashes in the breast as well as visible change in the appearance of the same. Also, there may be bleeding from the nipples along with the appearance of lumps. For other kinds of cancer, the women may go through changes in their menstrual cycle along with sharp and acute pain in the abdomen as well as bloating, inflammation and pain in the joints. Women will also go through weight loss, fatigue and loss of appetite along with fever and chills depending on the progression of the disease.

· Cancer Symptoms for Men: Men may typically experience the same symptoms as women when it comes to pain in the bones and joints as well as related symptoms like weakness, fatigue, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fever and more. But for those who are suffering from conditions like prostrate cancer, they may even experience a visible shift in their sex drive and even other conditions like premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction which will leave a significant bearing on their sexual relations and health. Pain in the abdomen and back as well as problems when it comes to urination will have an effect on the male patient too.

· Cancer Treatment Options: Cancer is a disease that can be treated in a proper manner if there is timely diagnosis based on timely observation and reporting of the various signs and symptoms that may come with the same. The usual route that doctors and oncologists prefer for cancer is surgery which will help in containing and stopping the spread of the tumor by removing the growth as well as that section of the organ. Further, methods like stem cell transplant may also be followed for leukemia and other forms of blood cancer, while radiation and chemotherapy will generally be used so that the cancer cells do not grow after the surgery has taken place.

· Other Forms of Treatment: Medical intervention and drug therapy as well as surgery and radiation are not the only forms of cancer treatment that can be followed. Leading a better lifestyle by cutting down on smoking and drinking, an overall healthier diet and exercise routine will help in ensuring that the cancer does not relapse.

The word ‘cancer’ can put you in a state of shock, as it has become one of the most frightening health conditions in the recent decades. The number of cancer patients is on a rise in many countries of the world, including the United States.

Cancer is a name given to a wide range of health conditions in which some of the body cells grow abnormally. It can occur in any part of the body, although some of the cancers are more common. It may not show up early symptoms. However, if you are vigilant about the changes that the body goes through, the chances of detecting cancer in its early stages are higher.

Knowing the early signs and symptoms of cancer can keep you stay hale and hearty. Cancer treatment options are much advanced these days and early detection can save your life. Read the major cancer symptoms here.

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of the condition depend on the part of the body where it occurs. The common signs of cancer that you should be aware are listed below.
However, you should visit the doctor only when one or more symptoms continue for a longer period without any reason.
â Fatigue and weakness
â Frequent fever, which is often a sign of blood cancer. It can occur frequently at night accompanied with night sweats.
â Weight loss due to no cause-This can occur in cases of cancer relating to digestive system.
â Unexpected weight gain
â Pain without any reason- Head ache, body pain, joint pains, pain in the bones, back pain etc has to be monitored.
â Changes in the skin- Rashes on the skin, yellowish tint on the skin, hyper pigmentation, redness etc. can sometimes hinting about cancer
â Change in the bowel habits that continues for a longer period
â A sense of thickening feeling under the skin in any part of the body
â Discomfort or irritable bowel after eating
â Presence of blood in the stool or urine
â Difficulty in swallowing food
â Coughing blood
â Soreness or wound that do not heal for a longer time
â White patches or spots in tongue or mouth

Signs that women should not ignore

Although the female body goes through different changes in the life cycle, there are certain signs that should never be ignored. Cancer in the female reproductive organs can be cured if diagnosed in the early stages. Keep in mind these symptoms:
â Discharge from the nipples
â Swelling or soreness in the breast
â A change in the shape of nipple
â Redness or difference in skin in the breast area
â Changes in the skin
â Unusual bleeding between menstrual periods
â Heavy bleeding or abnormally painful periods
â Swelling, fullness or heaviness in the abdomen
â Bleeding after menopause
â Chronic chest pain
â Shortness of breath
â Swelling in the lymph nodes
â Bloating or pain in the abdominal region
â Bleeding in the urine or stool