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Legendary ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas passed away on Monday, reportedly after battling pancreatic cancer for many months. Pancreatic cancer develops due to uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas, the gland located in the abdomen that plays an important role in digestion and regulating blood sugar. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice and abdominal or back pain; however, these may not appear until the later stages. Pancreatic cancer may have risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, and family history. There is a higher risk of succumbing to pancreatic cancer because the disease is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. (Also Read: Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas’ last rites to be performed today, says his daughter Nayaab Udhas)
What is pancreatic cancer?
“Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant (cancerous) cells in the pancreas change and grow out of control, forming a tumor. The pancreas is a 6-inch-long, tube-shaped, spongy organ located between the spine and the stomach. Its main function is to produce digestive juices (known as enzymes) and hormones, including insulin, which play a key role in keeping blood sugar levels under control, starches and enzymes that aid in digestion. Pancreatic cancers develop in the ducts of the pancreas. It is difficult to detect and treat pancreatic cancer at an early stage. Therefore, this type of cancer is fatal because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment options Treatment are limited. Early detection and treatment is key,” says Dr Bir Singh Sehrawat, Director & HOD- Gastroenterology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad.
“Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers, affecting more than 4 lakh people in India every year. It occurs when abnormal cells grow in the pancreas, an organ that produces enzymes for digestion and hormones for Metabolism. Pancreatic cancer often does not cause symptoms until it reaches advanced stages, making it difficult to diagnose and treat,” says Dr. Pushpak Chirmade, Consultant Medical Oncology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Ambani Hospital Navi Mumbai.
Causes of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer can develop due to lifestyle causes, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight, and eating excessively processed foods.
“The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown, but some factors that may increase the risk include smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, and family history. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic adenocarcinoma “, which begins in exocrine cells that produce digestive enzymes. A rarer type is pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, which begins in endocrine cells that produce hormones,” says Dr. Chirmade.
“The exact cause of this disease is still unclear. However, there are some factors that can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. These include tobacco use (cigarette or any form of smoking), excessive alcohol consumption, Chronic and hereditary pancreatitis, being overweight or obese (especially in early adulthood), consuming a diet containing red and processed meats, fried foods, sugar or cholesterol. Men are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women. People who work with certain chemicals, particularly used in metal working and pesticides, have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, have hepatitis B, and have a personal or family history of this condition may be at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer.” says Dr. Sehrawat.
Diagnosis and treatment
“Treatment options may include surgery (such as tumor resection or pancreaticoduodenectomy), chemotherapy (commonly using medications such as gemcitabine or FOLFIRINOX), radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these approaches. The goal of treatment is usually to control the cancer, relieve symptoms, and improve the patient’s quality of life. However, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which can limit treatment options and make long-term survival difficult. Therefore, early detection and prompt intervention are crucial in the management of this disease,” says Dr Dipanjan Panda, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
“To diagnose it, patients’ symptoms and medical history are investigated. It is recommended that the patient undergo CT scans, blood tests and two specialized procedures that can help identify pancreatic cancer accurately, such as retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic assisted cholangioscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Ultrasound (EUS),” says Dr. Sehrawat.
“The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is based on imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and positron emission tomography, which can show the size and location of the tumor. A biopsy, which consists of taking a small sample of tissue from the “This is done to confirm the diagnosis and look for genetic changes in the cancer cells. Blood tests can also measure the levels of tumor markers, such as CA19-9, that are produced by pancreatic cancer cells,” says Dr. Chirmade.
The main treatment options according to Dr. Sehrawat are:
Radiation therapy: To treat pancreatic cancer, patients are recommended to undergo radiation therapy. X-rays and other high-energy beams are used to destroy cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Here, anti-cancer drugs are used to kill cancer cells and help prevent their future growth.
Targeted therapy: Drugs and antibodies are used to attack cancer cells without harming other cells.
Dr. Chirmade says treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health, and the main options are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of them.
“Surgery is done to remove the tumor and some surrounding tissue, but it is only possible in about 20% of patients whose cancer has not spread to other organs. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill cancer cells or “They prevent their growth. Radiation Therapy consists of the use of high-energy rays that damage cancer cells or make them more sensitive to chemotherapy,” says the expert.
Recent advances in pancreatic cancer research have led to the development of new therapies targeting specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as genetic mutations, the immune system or the tumor environment. Some examples are:
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: This is chemotherapy administered before surgery, with the aim of reducing the size of the tumor and improving the chances of complete removal.
- Immunotherapy: This is a type of therapy that increases the body’s natural defenses against cancer. One example is pembrolizumab, a drug that blocks a protein called PD-1 that cancer cells use to evade the immune system.
Lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer
Dr. Sehrawat suggests some lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer:
- Quit or limit smoking: Refrain from excessive alcohol consumption, as excessive drinking can increase the risk of chronic pancreatitis and possibly pancreatic cancer.
- Try to maintain a healthy weight by doing regular exercise, yoga, and eating a well-balanced diet.
- Avoid eating red meat, processed meats, sugar and fried foods. Instead, you should incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your daily diet.
“Pancreatic cancer is a challenging disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach and personalized care. Patients and their families should consult with their doctors about the best treatment options and the latest clinical trials available to them. Early detection, prevention and awareness are also key to improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with pancreatic cancer,” concludes Dr. Chirmade.