Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer Surgery in Boulder, CO
Pancreatic cancer currently affects more than 67,000 Americans. It affects an organ that plays an important role in digestion, the pancreas. To help patients suffering from the disease, Alpine Surgical offers pancreatic cancer surgery in Boulder, CO. Read on to learn more about this surgical cancer service.
What Is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in the pancreas mutate (alter) and multiply rapidly, resulting in a tumor. The pancreas is a gland located in your abdomen (belly), between your spine and stomach. It produces hormones that regulate blood sugar and enzymes that help digestion.
The majority of pancreatic tumors originate in the pancreas’s ducts. The major pancreatic duct (Wirsung’s duct) connects the pancreas to the common bile duct.
Early-stage pancreatic cancers do not appear on imaging testing. As a result, many people are not diagnosed until their cancer has spread. Pancreatic cancer is also resistant to many commonly used cancer treatments, making it notoriously tough to treat.
Ongoing research focuses on early detection using genetic testing and novel imaging techniques. Currently, pancreatic cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women and the tenth in men.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Unfortunately, there are no early indications of pancreatic cancer. Symptoms often appear when the tumor starts to affect other organs in your digestive system. These symptoms include the following:
- Dark-colored urine
- Light-colored stool
- Yellowing of skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gas or bloating
- Upper abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Itchy skin
Surgical Options for Treating Pancreatic Tumors
The only approach to cure pancreatic cancer is by complete surgical removal of the disease (pancreatectomy). However, surgeons only prescribe surgery when they believe they can completely remove the cancer.
For surgery to be successful, the cancer must be entirely contained within the pancreas. There are a few different surgical procedures available, depending on the location and size of the tumor:
- Whipple Procedure: This involves removing the head of your pancreas, the first section of your small intestine, the gallbladder, a segment of your bile duct, and adjacent lymph nodes.
- Distal Pancreatectomy: During this procedure, a surgeon removes the pancreas’ tail and some of its body. In most situations, they will also take out your spleen.
- Total Pancreatectomy: This procedure removes your complete pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, a portion of your stomach, and small intestine.
Pancreatic Cancer Surgery at Alpine Surgical
Although most pancreatic cancers are not detected in the early stages, there is still a possibility of treatment. Alpine Surgical offers pancreatic cancer surgery at Boulder, CO. Contact us to learn more about this surgical cancer service or to book an appointment.
