Pancreatic Cancer in New Jersey
Located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, the Digestive Health & Nutrition Center, led by gastroenterologist Angela Merlo, M.D., performs diagnostics and treatment of pancreatic cancer for residents in and around Trenton and Princeton.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer affects the pancreas, an internal organ that is part of your digestive system. This cancer typically spreads very quickly to surrounding tissues and organs. Because pancreatic cancer is generally diagnosed in the late stages, the news of having pancreatic cancer often carries a very poor health outlook.
Approximately one in 76 people in the country develop pancreatic cancer, and both genders are equally affected by the disease. Even though pancreatic cancer is rare, it spreads fast in an undetectable manner, resulting in one of the highest mortality rates amongst all types of cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is defined by the area of the pancreas that is affected by the disease. Most diagnoses are exocrine pancreatic cancer, and of these, pancreatic adenocarcinoma accounts for most cases. Remaining cases include acinar cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and giant cell carcinoma.
Endocrine pancreatic cancer, also known as islet cell tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, are far less common. These cancers affect certain hormones that are produced by the pancreas, such as glucagon, gastrin, insulin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and somatostatin.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer normally does not cause symptoms until the late stages of the disease. The most common signs of pancreatic cancer are:
- Losing weight unexpectedly or unintentionally
- Jaundice, a condition that causes a yellowish color to the eyes and skin
- Blood clots
- Pain that travels from the upper abdomen to the back
- Decreased appetite
- Depression
What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?
Finding a specific catalyst for cancer cell development is one of the greatest challenges for researchers, and the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known. Certain factors do increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer, such as:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Family history of pancreatic cancer
Understanding Your Pancreas
Located just below and behind your stomach, the pancreas is an important part of your digestive system. This organ delivers certain digestive enzymes into the top-most section of the small intestine to help break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
How Pancreatic Cancer Forms
Pancreatic cancer begins when cell mutations rapidly divide in your pancreas. Because the cells do not die off like other cells of your body, they quickly accumulate into growths or tumors. Over time, these tumors interfere with the normal functions of your pancreas and spread to other parts of the body.
How is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?
Dr. Merlo uses several advanced diagnostic tests to determine if you have pancreatic cancer.
- Pancreatic biopsy, or tissue sample, to identify cancer cells under a microscope
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for detailed images of the pancreas from inside the abdomen
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using a special dye to increase imaging contrast of the pancreas
- External diagnostic imaging of the pancreas and surrounding organs
If you live in or around Trenton or Princeton, New Jersey and are looking for a specialist in adult and pediatric gastroenterology who can treat your pancreatic cancer, contact the Digestive Health & Nutrition Center in Lawrenceville today to set up an appointment.
