pancreatic cancer symptom

The esophagus has an outer lining, called the "adventitia", which surrounds the muscular layers and separates the esophagus from other nearby organs. The heart is directly behind the middle esophagus, while the windpipe ("trachea") is directly in front of it. The esophagus is also very close to the liver, lungs, and major blood vessels from the heart ("aorta and venal cava"). The esophagus receives most of it's blood from the aorta and drains it to the liver and venal cava. A system of "drainage channels" runs through the esophagus, between the mucosal and muscular layers. These are called "lymph channels" and act to purify the blood serum, by transporting it to nearby "lymph nodes" (glands) where the serum is filtered. Both the blood supply, and lymph channels and glands, can act as conduits to spread infection or cancer. This spread may be along the length of the esophagus, around it's diameter, to local lymph nodes or organs, or to distant body areas.

When a person has shrinkage ("cirrhosis") of the liver due to excessive alcohol or chronic infections, it places back pressure on the blood draining from the esophagus. This results in swelling of the blood vessels in the lower esophagus, called "varices". These may spontaneously bleed when there is a lot a pressure between the liver and esophagus ("portal hypertension") and is a medical emergency. Other common problems with the esophagus (besides cancer) are "rings" or "webs"-- areas of protrusion into the normally hollow interior ("lumen") of the esophagus where food can get caught. A "stricture" is an area of narrowing of the esophagus, often from scarring from ingested chemicals (i.e. lye). Achalasia is a disease where the nerves in the esophagus don't coordinate swallowing properly, so food gets caught there. An inflammation is "esophagitis", caused by bacteria, virus, or fungi, drugs or radiation.

Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer of the pancreas is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This year approximately 32,000 Americans will die from cancer of the pancreas. The disease is not only common, it is also extremely difficult to treat. For these and other reasons, cancer of the pancreas has been called "the challenge of the twenty-first century."

The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions has become the leading center for the treatment and study of pancreas cancer. We created this web page to:

1. Educate patients and family members with the hope of empowering them as they make complex medical decisions; and

2. Provide a virtual Web family of support and caring for those facing this disease.

Introduction

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious of cancers. It develops when cancerous cells form in the tissues of your pancreas - a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until the disease is quite advanced. By that time, the cancer is likely to have spread to other parts of the body and surgical removal is no longer possible.For years, little was known about pancreatic cancer. But researchers are beginning to understand the genetic basis of the disease - knowledge that may eventually lead to new and better treatments. Just as important, you may be able to reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer with some lifestyle changes.