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Pancreatic cancer is quite rare. During the last 10 years, the number of patients with lesions of this abdominal organ has increased 2-fold. The development of oncoprocess is influenced by environmental changes, nutritional behavior, hereditary factors. Most often there is a glandular type of neoplasm, that is, malignant cells begin their growth from the epithelial tissue of the gland. Another name for the cancer is adenocarcinoma. Pancreas lesion is considered the most aggressive compared to other types of carcinoma.
The percentage of survivors after diagnosis of the disease is low, so early detection of the pathology and carrying out the necessary treatment are priorities for the patient and his attending physician. Diagnosis has its own difficulties, since the initial manifestations of gland lesions are almost imperceptible, and the treatment of pancreatic cancer is complex, comprehensive and depends on the size of the tumor.
Symptoms
The unfavorable prognosis of pancreatic cancer is due to the absence of any symptoms at the first stage of the disease. Until the tumor reaches the size determined by the doctor during examination, a person may have general signs of malaise:
- fatigue
- increased fatigue
- subfebrile temperature
- poor appetite
These manifestations are characteristic of many other diseases, typically the patient does not pay any attention to them. More severe symptoms develop when the tumor increases in size and begins to grow into adjacent organs, disrupting their function. Symptoms may vary depending on the location of the pathological process. Cancer can develop in the body, head or tail of the pancreas.
If the mass presses on the nerve plexus, shingling pain in the abdominal area occurs. If it grows through the bile ducts, signs of jaundice may appear. The feces and urine change color, the skin becomes yellow. The gallbladder increases in volume, which causes pain in the right subcostal region. If the neoplasm infiltrates the intestine and, partially or completely, blocks its lumen, there are symptoms of intestinal obstruction. There is vomiting, belching, constipation and diarrhea.
With untimely assistance, pathological processes decompensate, which leads to disorders in the work of other organs and systems: cardiovascular, nervous, urinary, liver, etc.
Diagnostics
Pancreatic cancer is detected by performing the following instrumental examination modalities:
- Tomographic methods of research: computer, magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography.
These methods are highly sensitive and allow you to see the tumor at an earlier stage. The specialist receives a series of images that show the tumor in all projections, which allows him to adjust the course of the operation and avoid many complications. In addition, with the help of CT or MRI, the doctor evaluates the presence or absence of metastases.
- Ultrasound.
With the help of ultrasound, the specialist can determine the pathology of the pancreas, the state of the liver ducts, gallbladder, pancreatic duct. To perform ultrasound requires special preparation to reduce gas formation, which prevents clear visualization of abdominal organs.
- Endoscopic methods of investigation.
1. FGDS — fibrogastroduodenoscopy.
With the help of an endoscope, the doctor can see a narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract or part of a mass that has sprouted into the intestine. Unfortunately, this method allows diagnosing the tumor only at a late stage.
2. Laparoscopy is also an endoscopic option.
However, it is an invasive way of diagnosis.
Several punctures are made in the anterior abdominal wall, after which a laparoscope is installed, with the help of which the pathology of the abdominal cavity organs can be seen. The advantage of endoscopic diagnostic options is the possibility during the procedure to take a biopsy, that is, a small piece of the pathological focus for histological examination.
- X-ray methods allow detecting the tumor when it is already large enough to narrow various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. X-rays are performed with contrast for better visualization of the pathology.
Along with instrumental methods of diagnosis, laboratory tests are performed: general blood analysis, urine, biochemical analysis, coagulogram is evaluated. The tests show possible complications of the disease.
Important: In German clinics, blood is taken for specific cancer markers.
On a side note! In Germany, both traditional methods of examination and unique types of pathology diagnostics are used.
Treatment methods in Germany
The scope of treatment depends on the type of cancer, the patient’s general condition, the location of the tumor, and the stage of the process. As with other forms of adenocarcinomas, the patient has several options to correct the condition: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and palliative methods.
Surgery is performed in 5-10% of tumor cases. Usually, a part of the pancreas and the lymph nodes affected by malignant cells are removed. Surgical intervention in Germany is performed using the Da Vinci operating system. When the head of the pancreas is removed, the intervention is called a Whipple operation.
In addition to surgical options and chemotherapy and radiation therapy, clinics in Germany use innovative ways to remove cancer. Thus, if the pathological process has not spread beyond the pancreas, the patient can undergo radiosurgical treatment IGRT. The peculiarity of the method is the possibility not to dissect the organ, but to remove pathologically altered tissue by radiation.
Chemotherapy is given after any surgical option. It is typically administered before and after surgical intervention. The purpose of chemotherapy is to destroy malignant cells.
If the tumor has special receptors, then hormone therapy may be effective. It is prescribed in combination with other therapies.
When surgical treatment and chemotherapy are ineffective, palliative interventions are performed to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
How much does it cost to treat pancreatic cancer in Germany?
The cost of therapy depends on many factors, such as the general condition of the patient, the stage of the pathological process and others. The price is determined after specifying the condition and stage of the process.
| Name of service | Price, € | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostics | 2150-3100 | 5 days, outpatient |
| Diagnosis with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCPG) and CT-guided biopsy | 7000-9000 | 5 days, inpatient |
| Diagnosis and treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy | 11500-17000 | 39 days, outpatient |
| Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer with bile duct stenosis with ERCPG | 11000-13500 | 7 days, inpatient |
A special feature of treatment in German clinics is the possibility to participate in clinical trials in case of inoperable variant. In this case, thanks to high-quality equipment and extensive experience of specialists in this field of medicine, the chance of a positive outcome of the fight against the disease increases several times.
Also, in Germany they carry out targeted therapy, when a drug is delivered directly to malignant cells with the help of natural carriers (liposomes) and destroys them without touching healthy tissues.
On a side note! Targeted medicine is being developed and used in clinics in other countries, but a large number of studies and positive results have been obtained in German clinics.
Given the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer, it is very important to undergo periodic gastroenterological examinations in clinical centers equipped with modern diagnostic equipment. Early detection of cancer allows you to avoid complications and get a chance to recover.