What are the causes of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant digestive system tumor with an insidious onset and often lacks obvious symptoms in the early stages. This makes many patients diagnosed at an advanced stage and extremely difficult to treat. Unfortunately, the appearance of late-stage symptoms of pancreatic cancer often indicates that the tumor has affected other organs in the digestive system.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are complex and varied, including but not limited to jaundice (yellowing of the skin), dark urine, and light-colored stools. These symptoms are usually caused by the tumor blocking the bile ducts, preventing the normal discharge of bile. Pain in the upper abdomen or mid-back is also a common symptom of pancreatic cancer, which may be caused by the tumor invading surrounding nerves or tissue. In addition, patients may experience fatigue, itchy skin, nausea and vomiting, gas or bloating, loss of appetite, weight loss, and new-onset diabetes. The occurrence of these symptoms not only seriously affects the patient's quality of life, but also indicates the seriousness of the condition.

Healthcare providers are especially alert to the possibility of pancreatic cancer in patients who have recently developed diabetes or pancreatitis, as these conditions can sometimes be early signs of pancreatic cancer. It is worth noting that the symptoms of pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer may be different from traditional pancreatic cancer. For example, instead of jaundice or weight loss, symptoms such as diarrhea and anemia may occur.

The causes of pancreatic cancer are complex and diverse, and are not yet fully understood. However, studies have shown that smoking, poor eating habits, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, genetic factors and environmental factors may be related to the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of pancreatic cancer, people should maintain a healthy lifestyle, quit smoking and limit alcohol, eat a balanced diet, control their weight, and undergo regular physical examinations and screenings.

(Click to view an introduction to drugs for the treatment of pancreatic cancer)

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Reference: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15806-pancreatic-cancer