Pancreatic Cancer Dr.Rajendra Sharma
Pancreatic Cancer
I hope the following will suffice but get back to me if you need anything more or further explained. Incidentally, I have not forgotten about your request for me to put a few lines together about the various tests within the Anti-Ageing Screens. It has remained close to the top of my ‘to do’ list without ever managing to quite get there! I hope to have it for you through this week or Monday. Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic Cancer that claimed the life of Patrick Swayze after a prolonged battle is around the 5th most common cancer here in the UK. It is particularly dangerous because it does not cause symptoms until well established and therefore recognition and diagnosis is often only when the problem has advanced. Common symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen often radiating to the back, a painless jaundice if that part of the pancreas around the bile ducts harbours the cancer but otherwise the signs are typical of many cancers – there is a loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy and malaise. Pancreatic cancer can show itself early with the development of diabetes as the pancreas produces insulin although it is different cells that become cancerous not those that make insulin generally. A rare sign is the development of marked veins on the abdomen or arms and legs caused by blood clots forming in important blood vessels that travel close to the pancreas. We know that alcohol is a risk factor for pancreatitis but it is controversial whether it actually encourages cancer. Any area that is chronically inflamed does have a tendency to a higher risk of cancer but a direct association is yet to be found. Other than that we know that there tends to be a family history with up to 10% of those who suffer having had the disease in their family. Smoking, obesity and helicobacter pylori infection, which is more commonly associated with stomach ulcers, are also thought to be associated as is gum disease (gingivitis). These factors are not, however, specific when it comes to diagnosis. A suspicion based on symptoms mentioned above can be further investigated through blood tests and scans. There is no specific blood test in conventional medicine although a specific tumour marker, CA19-9, is frequently (but not always) elevated in pancreatic cancer. This might also be normal early on in the development of a pancreatic cancer. Obstruction of the bile ducts can cause liver function tests to alter but again this is not specific. Abdominal ultrasound which can later be confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound is commonly used as is MRI and CT scanning. Recent research (September 2009 in the journal Cancer Prevention Research) has identified a compound known as micro RNAs which may prove to be a test for early detection. The Diagnostic Clinic is following the research and using the tests out of the Research Genetic Cancer Centre in Florina, Greece. This laboratory is performing a test which is currently principally used to monitor the benefit of cancer treatment called Minimal Residual Disease. This measures up to 20 markers in the blood that have been used in research for many years but not been available to the public. The research suggests that this test may indicate very early development of cancer. Until full research is completed one of the concerns is that cancer may be detected that would, given a natural course of events, be destroyed by the body’s own defence systems. If that were to occur then early detection may lead to unnecessary treatment. This is why the test looks for residual disease at the moment. However, the availability of this test does allow for those who are concerned or perhaps have a family history to be given some level of investigative reassurance or trigger more conventional investigation. The RGCC is also performing a test through The Diagnostic Clinic (and through other doctors) known as the Chemosensitivity Test. For those who have developed cancer this test can illustrate which conventional chemotherapeutic agents may be of benefit even if they are not in the standard national protocols. Much more exciting, this investigation tests about 40 natural compounds against cancer cells from an individual (collected from a blood sample) allowing Integrated Physicians to suggest Complementary therapies based on the findings rather than on “best guess”. Some cancers are being better treated and detected earlier but, unfortunately, many types of cancer are still difficult to treat especially if they are not detected early. The Diagnostic Clinic believes in keeping a close eye on pioneering diagnostic techniques that enable individuals to have choices with regard to Complementary cancer therapy and will continue to search for methods for even the most aggressive of cancers such as that of the pancreas. Dr Rajendra Sharma MB, BCh, BAO, LRCP+S (I), MFHom Medical Director
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About Me
Shiatsu Healer I’ve worked professionally as a shiatsu massage therapist and healer for more than twenty years- successfully treating hundreds of patients from all walks of life for a wide variety of complaints.
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