Pancreatic cancer typically starts in the tissues that are situated inside the pancreas. The pancreas is one of the organs in the abdomen, which lies horizontally right behind the stomach’s lower part. These organs release enzymes which, help in aiding digestion, along with hormones, which help in managing blood sugar.

This kind of cancer usually spreads quite fast to the organs nearby, and it is unfortunately difficult to detect it in the early stages. However, for people who already have cysts in the pancreas or who have a family history involving pancreatic cancer, screening steps may be used to get an idea about the problem during the initial phase itself. While one of the signs of pancreatic cancer is considered to be diabetes, it is often accompanied by weight loss, pain in the upper abdomen, and jaundice.

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
If your doctor or oncologist feels that you have pancreatic cancer, they may ask you to undergo the following tests.

• Imaging tests
  These tests are used by doctors to visualize the internal pictures of the organs and to determine the presence of pancreatic cancer . These may include- ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission, and CT scans.

• Ultrasound pictures
  Many doctors also use endoscopic ultrasound to understand the images of the pancreas better. A thin tube passes through the esophagus to your stomach to see enhanced images of your pancreas.

• Biopsy
  To carry out a biopsy, a really small tissue is removed from the pancreas to detect traces of pancreatic cancer. This tissue is then sent for microscopic examination.
• Getting a blood test done
  Many pancreatic cancer cells shed some proteins, which will be found in the blood. Their presence can be traced by conducting a blood test and may further signify the presence of pancreatic cancer.

After your doctor confirms the presence of pancreatic cancer, he or she will go ahead to understand how much far the cancer cells have spread. This information may be derived from staging tests, which will help in determining the further course of treatment that needs to be undertaken.

Treatment options for pancreatic cancer
The diagnosis is very crucial to understand the treatment measures. Following are the different methods used for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

• Surgery
  Surgery can be used to remove pancreatic cancer cells in the head, tail, and the body of the pancreas. Sometimes, surgery may be required for the removal of the entire pancreas and even the tumors that affect the blood vessels nearby.
• Chemotherapy
  Through chemotherapy, you are given medications that are either intravenous or can be consumed orally. This is generally used to treat cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas.
• Radiation therapy
  Radiation therapy uses energy beams of very high intensity, such as the ones used in X-ray, to destroy pancreatic cancer cells. In some  cases, radiation therapy is combined with chemotherapy to effectively destroy the cells spreading cancer in the pancreas and other body parts.