Physicians appeal that early pancreatic cancer has almost no symptoms. When obvious symptoms are found, such as loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, significant weight loss, jaundice, fatty stool, etc., it is usually already at an advanced stage when it is discovered; The picture shows the situation.

(The picture is taken from photoAC)

[Health Channel/Comprehensive Report] Grandma, who is nearly 80 years old, has a regular health checkup every 2 years, and the report is normal. Unexpectedly, she has a sudden abdominal pain recently, and there is no problem of constipation or diarrhea. However, at the end of the year, the blood test for CA19-9 tumor The labeling index was high, but there were no abnormal lesions in the abdominal ultrasound examination. Therefore, I went to the hospital for an abdominal magnetic resonance imaging examination and found a lesion about 4 cm long at the tail of the pancreas. It was highly suspected to be a pancreatic tumor. Has liver metastasis, diagnosed as pancreatic cancer.

Shen Yanjun, Chief Physician of Beitou Health Management Hospital, pointed out that with the rise of modern people's health awareness, they often add the blood test CA19-9 tumor markers to the health checkup items. CA19-9 is not an exclusive index for pancreatic cancer, and in fact causes the value of CA19-9 to increase There are many reasons, in addition to pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancer, gastric cancer, etc., and even some non-malignant diseases, such as endometriosis, CA19-9 may increase.

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Shen Yanjun said that although CA19-9 does not have the specificity of a single cancer test, it can still be used as a supplementary reference test item.

When the CA19-9 index is high, it is usually recommended to take another blood test for confirmation at an interval of 1-2 months, or the doctor directly arranges imaging examinations, such as MRI, to completely check the state of the pancreas and further confirm the increase in the CA19-9 index. Whether the high is due to pancreatic cancer.

Ultrasound examination of the abdomen cannot fully observe the pancreas

Why is it that when the CA19-9 index is found to be high, the abdominal ultrasonography cannot find abnormal pancreas lesions?

Shen Yanjun explained that the position of the pancreas is quite deep, and it is located behind the stomach. If only an ultrasound examination is arranged, the pancreas cannot be completely observed due to the obstruction of the organ.

From the perspective of this patient, pancreatic cancer occurs at the tail of the pancreas, and the air barrier in the gastrointestinal tract can easily cause a large blind spot in ultrasound examinations. If only relying on ultrasound examinations, it is almost impossible to find abnormal lesions.

In addition, it is also common in clinical practice. Pancreatic cancer that occurs in the tail of the pancreas hardly causes symptoms in the early stage, and most of them progress silently. It may not appear until the tumor affects surrounding tissues and organs or has caused abdominal metastasis Weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort.

The doctor said that the pancreas is quite deep and is located behind the stomach. If only an ultrasound examination is arranged, the pancreas cannot be completely observed due to the obstruction of the organ; the picture is a situational photo.

(picture taken from shutterstock)

Loss of appetite and jaundice are late stages

Shen Yanjun appealed that pancreatic cancer in the early stage has almost no symptoms. When obvious symptoms are found, such as loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, significant weight loss, jaundice, fatty stool, etc., it is usually already at an advanced stage when it is discovered.

In addition, pancreatic cancer is more likely to occur in people over the age of 60, and those who have smoking habits, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, family history of pancreas-related diseases, or like high-sugar and high-calorie foods are all suffering from pancreatic cancer. High-risk groups for liver cancer.

Shen Yanjun reminded the public that although pancreatic cancer is a cancer that progresses very quickly and has a poor prognosis, it is still the same as other cancers. As long as regular health checks are maintained, there is a chance for early detection and treatment.

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  • the tumor

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  • abdominal ultrasound

  • Health Net - Liver Gallbladder Stomach

  • Abdominal MRI

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