While cancer can be caused in any part of the body, one of the specific types of cancer afflicts the stomach region. Stomach cancer is also referred to as gastric cancer as it affects the gastro-intestinal tract. It is a rather malevolent type of cancer as it evades early detection and is often discovered in its virulent and excessively dangerous form.

Tumor Types:

There are two major types of tumors:
a) Benevolent tumors: Benevolent tumors are a result of excessive growth of cells which are non carcinogenic in nature. These are mostly localized in nature and do not infect the cells around them. Such tumors can be removed by surgery and do not pose a threat to life.
b) Malignant tumors: Malignant tumors are life threatening cancerous tumors. Such tumors do invade other cells, spread fast and if untreated can cause very rapid deterioration and death. Malignant tumors can be removed surgically, if detected in time, but there do remain chances of resurgence of such cancerous cells. The main concern about malignant tumor cells is that these have the capacity of entering the blood stream and infecting parts of the body other than the part from which they originated.

Causes of Stomach Cancer:

- Certain virulent bacteria that can invade the intestinal tract and lead to inflammation and culminate in gastric cancer. The H.pylori bacterium is one such malevolent bacterium that causes stomach cancer.
- A diet rich in oily, pickled and smoked food may lead to stomach cancer. Excessive consumption of red meat has also been linked to gastric cancer.
- Smoking and excessive alcohol intake leads to stomach cancer
- Hereditary reasons which are often unexplained and are empirical in nature are observed to contribute to stomach cancer

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer:

- Nausea and vomiting
- Burning sensation or acidity in the gastric region
- Sudden and inexplicable loss of appetite.
- Weight loss which cannot be pinned down to any known cause
- Passing blood in stool

Preventive Measures:

- In case of chronic pain in stomach approach doctor
- Watch out for other symptoms of gastric cancer and take recourse to medical attention
- Take red meat in moderation
- Increase intake of vegetables and drink adequate water

Treatment: Treatment of cancer can take on various forms. In some forms, radiation maybe used to locally target the cancer cells and eliminate them. In other cases, chemotherapy may be used to administer drugs through the blood stream and attack the cancerous cells. In any case, cancer treatment could be painful and lead to side effects.

Stomach or any other form of cancer is indeed a scourge for humanity. While one should hope and pray that one is not infected with it, it is always wise to take precautions and be on the guard lest stomach cancer affect the body.

It’s good that you want to learn about warning signs of cervical cancer Let me explain to you hat cervical cancer is and what warning signs(symptoms). Cervical cancer occurs in the neck of the uterus which opens into the vaginal canal. The incidence of cervical cancer is pretty high with the National Cancer Institute stating that about new cases are11,070 and deaths range to about Deaths: 3,870 per year in the US alone. But the cancer is much more prevalent and is not detected very easily as symptoms are very difficult to notice and treat.

Risk factors for cervical cancer-

• The main causative factor of cervical cancer is thought to be Human Pappiloma virus and constant exposure to the virus which is carried my men and transmitted during sexual contact is one of the reasons for cervical cancer.
• Once of the highest risk factor for cervical cancer is getting an impaired immune system. Women with exposure to the HIV virus have higher chances of getting the cervical cancer and are more likely dysplastic changes.
• Using birth cancer pills for more than three years is supposed to promote the incidence of cervical cancer and the exact cause of how it happens is not clearly known.
• Exposure to diethyl-still-besterol is another reason why the patient can develop cervical cancer.
• Smoking or history of smoking for more than five years causes increased tendencies to have HPV infections and the infections last longer. Secondhand smoke can also increase the tendency to have cervical cancer and its always recedes when smoking is stopped.
• Lack of regular PAP tests. The incidence of HPV is very high in women show don’t really have regular PAP tests and its absolutely necessary to get yourself checked every six months if you have multiple sexual partners.
• Women over the age of forty are more likely to get cervical cancer.
• Women who had or have sexual partners have a much higher tendency to contract the HPV virus and thus develop cervical cancer. It’s also possible for sexual intercourse with a man who has many sexual partners toe transmit the HPV virus to his female sexual partner who he is with transmit risk of developing cervical cancer.

Warning signs of cervical cancer:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles accompanied with heavier than normal bleeding during menstrual cycles.
• Longer and heavier menstrual cycles.
• Increased vaginal discharge and pain with cramps
• Severe cramping pelvic pain.
• Pain during intercourse
• Unexplained changer during the menstrual cycle.
• Abnormal vaginal discharge of mucus filled with pus or blood.
• Urinary problems due to the cancer affecting the urinary bladder and urethra.
• Fistula formation with leakage of urine and feces leaking into the vagina.
• Sudden loss of weight and fatigue with loss of appetite.
If you catch cervical cancer early on with regular PAP screenings then it’s easier to treat and simple surgery is enough to get rid of it. If you are a high risk patient you can try the 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gardasil or HPV vaccine. It offers protection against four types of HPV, which can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is safe and effective.

The Different Kinds of Thyroid Cancer

Like mentioned earlier, there are four types of thyroid cancer. These kinds are:

1.) Papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type. More than 70% of recorded thyroid cancer cases are papillary tumors. Despite being the most common, papillary thyroid cancers are also easy to cure. Cure rate is at 80-90%, with a survival rate of ten years. However, it also has a high recurrence rate which means that it is possible to contract the cancer again even after treatment.

2.) Follicular thyroid cancer

Follicular thyroid cancer is one of the aggressive variants of this tumor. It occurs mostly on older people, and rarely on younger patients. In contrast to the papillary tumor, this type of thyroid cancer is not likely to recur once the patient undergoes radiation therapy.

3.)  Medullary thyroid cancer

The third most common type of thyroid cancer, medullary tumors are formed in the parafollicular cells instead of the cells that produce thyroid hormones. It has a low cure rate, but now as low as the anaplastic tumors, which are considered as the worst among the four thyroid cancers.

4.) Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is known as the killer among the four types of thyroid cancers. It is not uncommon for a patient to die after only a year of being diagnosed with it, and even those who are treated live only for 3 years. Worse, the cancer may arise as a complication of another thyroid cancer or goiter.

How are different types of thyroid cancer diagnosed ?

If a patient is suspected of having thyroid cancer, a pathologist uses a large needle that is injected into the thyroid nodule. In some cases, the pathologist extracts a thyroid nodule from the patient, which he then uses to check for the presence of any malignant tumor. If there is a tumor, the pathologist determines what type it is and recommends possible surgical solutions.

The Treatment

A typical treatment for any thyroid cancer is to remove the problematic thyroid nodule, usually right after the diagnosis is done. After surgery, the patient is then subjected to radioactive iodine treatment. The entire process is unique because of the minimal side effects experienced by the patient, as opposed to chemotherapy where a patient may experience severe nausea or diarrhea. This is because the radioactive substance cannot be observed by the other cells of the body, hence the effects are isolated within the thyroid cells that absorb and concentrate the radioactive iodine in the pill.

To compensate for the lack of a thyroid hormone following its removal, the patient is subjected to a lifetime prescription of a thyroid hormone pill. The pill takes the place of the thyroid hormone in providing the iodine needed by the body.

Cancers which can start at the throat, tongue, base of the tongue, cheeks, tonsil, naso-pharynx, and pharynx, are called as oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancers. According to the National Institute of Cancer Research, there are about 12,250 (laryngeal); 12,410 (pharyngeal) cases in the US in the year 2008 and about 3,670 (laryngeal); 2,200 (pharyngeal) deaths due to this variety of cancer.

Periodic self examination is the best way by which you can detect this type of cancer but unfortunately most of the cases are too far advanced by the time they are detected and cannot be treated well.

Here is a quick recap of throat cancer symptoms and signs:

The best way to notice any cancer signs in your mouth is to be keep checking your mouth as many times as necessary in a month. This is more important if you do have any of the risk factors as a part of your lifestyle.

• Persistent painful sores which do not heal irrespective of medication.
• Persistent bleeding from the mouth and the sore
• Sharp tingling pains radiating down the jaw and mouth
• Weird red, white or multicolored patches inside your mouth and your cheek
• Thickening of the tongue and cheek mucosa
• Extreme difficulty in talking swallowing and eating or even while moving your tongue.
• Radiating pains to the corner of the jaws and the ear.
• Constant sore throat which increases while lying down and the feeling that something is stuck in your throat.
• Loose teeth suddenly and on extraction of teeth a fungus like growth emerges from the empty socket.
• Numbness on lips and tongue with a change in the timbre of your voice
• Hoarse voice.
• Persistent lumps without pain in the neck.

If you have any of these symptoms then its time to get them checked out as soon as possible to prevent later problems. Most doctors will recommended a series of tests to diagnose the condition more accurately like,

1. Most doctors will take a detailed dental as well as oral X-ray for an initial diagnosis.
2. Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are the next best alternative as they provide in depth detailed views in every direction and you will also be able to detect swollen nearby lymph nodes to which the cancer may have spread.
3. An indirect laryngoscopy and biopsy is also indicated to confirm the diagnosis or throat cancer.

Treatment of any cancer is surgery, radiation and chemotherapy but in the oral area, excision of the affected area almost always creates a facial deformity and it’s necessary for all patients to opt for rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery. Five year survival rates are also very poor and chances of relapse and reoccurrence the tumor are very common.

Throat cancer symptoms and signs

Are you a chronic smoker? Do you eat meat and chew betel quid? Do you eat a diet low in fresh fruits but high in alcohol? Well, you are a prime candidate for throat cancer so you better check out first throat cancer symptoms and signs.

Cancers which can start at the throat, tongue, base of the tongue, cheeks, tonsil, naso-pharynx, and pharynx, are called as oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancers. According to the National Institute of Cancer Research, there are about 12,250 (laryngeal); 12,410 (pharyngeal) cases in the US in the year 2008 and about 3,670 (laryngeal); 2,200 (pharyngeal) deaths due to this variety of cancer.

Periodic self examination is the best way by which you can detect this type of cancer but unfortunately most of the cases are too far advanced by the time they are detected and cannot be treated well.

Here is a quick recap of throat cancer symptoms and signs:

The best way to notice any cancer signs in your mouth is to be keep checking your mouth as many times as necessary in a month. This is more important if you do have any of the risk factors as a part of your lifestyle.

• Persistent painful sores which do not heal irrespective of medication.
• Persistent bleeding from the mouth and the sore
• Sharp tingling pains radiating down the jaw and mouth
• Weird red, white or multicolored patches inside your mouth and your cheek
• Thickening of the tongue and cheek mucosa
• Extreme difficulty in talking swallowing and eating or even while moving your tongue.
• Radiating pains to the corner of the jaws and the ear.
• Constant sore throat which increases while lying down and the feeling that something is stuck in your throat.
• Loose teeth suddenly and on extraction of teeth a fungus like growth emerges from the empty socket.
• Numbness on lips and tongue with a change in the timbre of your voice
• Hoarse voice.
• Persistent lumps without pain in the neck.

If you have any of these symptoms then its time to get them checked out as soon as possible to prevent later problems. Most doctors will recommended a series of tests to diagnose the condition more accurately like,

1. Most doctors will take a detailed dental as well as oral X-ray for an initial diagnosis.
2. Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are the next best alternative as they provide in depth detailed views in every direction and you will also be able to detect swollen nearby lymph nodes to which the cancer may have spread.
3. An indirect laryngoscopy and biopsy is also indicated to confirm the diagnosis or throat cancer.

Treatment of any cancer is surgery, radiation and chemotherapy but in the oral area, excision of the affected area almost always creates a facial deformity and it’s necessary for all patients to opt for rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery. Five year survival rates are also very poor and chances of relapse and reoccurrence the tumor are very common.

Do you know what uterine cancer is? If you don’t then its time to find out first symptoms of uterine cancer! Uterine cancer is a really sneaky disease affecting about 40,100 patients in the US and causing deaths of about 7,470 patients per year. Here are a few important details you should know about the disease.

symptoms of uterine cancer:

Uterine cancer often is a slow growing cancer which builds up over a few years the best symptom you will have is abnormal bleeding from the vagina during and after the menstrual cycle. 90% of the cases of uterine cancer are seen in postmenopausal women, whose periods have stopped. But it is seen in pre-menopausal women too.

• Extended  periods or bleeding during menstruation as well as between them
• Extremely frequent vaginal bleeding and increased spotting  which  will increase up to the years of menopause
• Extra bleeding in the years of menopause when bleeding is supposed to stop or be negligible.
• Constant  discharge from the vagina
• Extreme cramping pelvic pain which increases during menstruation and bodily aches.
• Pain and fatigue accompanied with sudden weight loss.

Causes of uterine cancer:

As with any cancer the exact reason of why the cells turn cancerous are not very well known but a few common reasons which can predispose to cancer are:

• Early menstruation before the age of 12 and a late menopause until the age of 50s, increases the risk of uterine cancer in older women. The greater the number of years you have periods, higher the exposure of your uterine to estrogen the greater the chances of developing cancer.
• Pregnancy is a great protection against uterine cancer, but researchers are not really sure how it works out to protect the endometrium against cancer. The body is supposed to produce more estrogen during pregnancy which should increase the tendency for cancer but the amount of progesterone increases too. This might protect against uterine cancer. But it’s a proven fact that women a larger exposure to estrogen are at an increased risk of uterine cancer. This is also possible in women who are taking HRT or hormone replacement therapy for menopause.
• Ovulation is also regulated by monthly fluctuating levels of estrogen. Irregular ovulation or no ovulate increases the exposure of your uterine tissue to estrogen and this can cause problems. Excess levels of estrogen without pregnancy can definitely predispose to cancers
• Ovaries are the main source of estrogen but secondary sources are also present. Fat tissue is also responsible for production of a small amount of estrogen. Obesity will increase the production of estrogen in your body, causing a higher risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer as well as uterine and other cancers.
• Diabetes and obesity often go hand in hand and its always a good idea to keep a close eye on your weight as well as your sugar levels to make sure they are under control.

In 1998, a number of 25,400 new cases of ovarian cancer were recorded and deaths related to it reached to a high number of 14,500. Medical practitioners agree that ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancers among women today. Despite efforts to minimize the alarming number of ovarian cancer cases, tumors are often difficult to detect attributed to the lack of effective screening tools and techniques, lack of early symptoms, and because these tumors are usually hidden deep in the pelvis area. However, according to the American Cancer Society, early diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer increases survival rate to 93%.

Stages of Ovarian Cancer:

If we are to learn about this cancer, we should be first informed of its stages.
Stage 1: Cancer is contained within one ovary or both ovaries.
Stage 2: Cancer is in one or both ovaries and has involved other organs within the pelvis. Organs that can be affected are uterus, fallopian tube, bladder and rectum.
Stage 3: Cancer involves one or both ovaries and one or both of the following are present:
(1) Cancer has spread beyond the pelvic to the lining of the abdomen.
(2) Cancer has affected the lymph nodes.
Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Cancer is in one or both ovaries. There is distant metastasis to the liver, lungs or other organs outside the peritoneal cavity. Ovarian cancer cells in the lung cavity are evidence of stage IV disease.

Ovarian Cancer Characteristics:

Next, here’s a simple description of ovarian cancer.
 It grows rapidly and it spreads fast throughout the whole reproductive system if not quick managed. It often affects both ovaries.
 Metastasis occurs by directly spreading via the lymphatic drainage system or by setting itself within the peritoneal cavity affecting the organs around it.
 Prognosis is usually poor because of the absence of signs and symptoms. Often the tumor is detected late.
 A medical health professional usually performs an exploratory laparotomy to diagnose and stage the tumor.

symptoms of ovarian cancer or cysts are silent and are non specific.

 Increased abdominal girth
 Pelvic pressure or pelvic pain
 Bloating
 Back pain
 Abdominal pain
 Urinary urgency
 Indigestion
 Flatulence
 Abdominal mass or abdominal swelling
 Dysfunctional vaginal bleeding
Best action is preventive action. Women should have pelvic examinations every 6 months especially for women who have one or two relatives with ovarian cancer. Pap smear is also a screening tool for women over age 18; 2 tests annually for 2 consecutive years and at least every three years until age 65 for those with normal findings. For persons at high risk, it should be done yearly. This includes those who are sexually active, have multiple partners and commercial sex workers.

Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors:
Here’s a list of risk factors that predisposes you to this ovarian cancer tumor.
 Age: most develop after menopausal stage; 50% after age 65
 Reproductive history: early menarche (before age 12); late menarche (after age 50); nulliparity (no live births); infertility; first pregnancy after age 30
 Personal/family history: history of previous breast cancer; history of ovarian cancer in members of mother’s family; history of ovarian cancer in female members of father’s family
 Genetics: BRCA 1/BRCA 2 mutation; Lynch Syndrome II
 Environment factors: High-fat/low-fiber diet; use of talcum powder in genital area

Reduce risk:
 Pregnancy
 Lactation
 Oral contraceptive use
 Hysterectomy

symptoms of melanoma skin cancer are:

• Cutaneous lesions which have suddenly changed shape.
• The colored patch is frayed, serrated, distorted, or crooked in outline.
• The pigment on the lesion appears unevenly colored, or even a mixture of colors.
• The lesion may slowly increase in size and then give rise to babies
• The colored lesion may also spread above the surface giving a slightly swollen look.
If you experience any of these symptoms, then it’s the time to consult with a doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnosis of a possible cutaneous melanoma is possible only through a biopsy of the affected lesion and then staging and grading of the lesion is done to determine the extent of spread of the cancer. Treatment planning depends on how far the cancer has spread and where.

The main options for treatment for cutaneous melanomas are:

1. Surgery is the most common mode of treatment for any cancer and if the lesion is small then the doctor can remove it along with a surrounding margin during the biopsy process itself. For bigger lesions additional surgery may be necessary after the diagnosis is confirmed.
2. Chemotherapy drugs are also given to kill the cancer cells as well as any cells which might have migrated to different locations in the body.
3. Biological therapy also called as immune therapy is one of the newer forms of treatment. In this method of treatment the body’s immune system is utilized to manufacture poisons to kill the cancer cells inside the body. Biological therapy utilizes a form of cancer poisons called cytokines which are made by the body themselves and used against cancer cells. Scientists manufacture these cytokines in large amounts in the lab using Recombinant DNA technology and the use these chemicals as poisons to kill the cancer cells
4. Radiation therapy is also used to transmit high-energy beams through the body to kill the cancer cells.

Oral cancer can start to grow in any part of the mouth. It can grow on the lips or the tongue, but can also occur in the lining of the cheek, the mouth floors, the gums or the palate. Wherever they may start, all oral cancer cells are called squamous cell carcinoma and have the same appearance when viewed under a microscope. Oral cancers are very malignant. You can expect it to worsen quickly as the cells can quickly spread and affect neighboring cells so you better point out signs of oral cancer fast!

Signs of oral cancer

Oral cancer can have several signs. These signs may include:

• White or red patches inside the mouth that persist for more than 2 weeks.
• Persistent discomfort or pain in the mouth.
• A lump appears in the lips, tongue or in the mouth.
• The mouth feels numb.
• Unexplained bleeding occurs in the mouth.
• Painful chewing or swallowing of food.
• Possible difficulty in speaking, or a change in vocal patterns entirely.
• A lump grows in the neck.
• Unusual loss of weight.

Causes of Oral Cancer

Experts widely agree that a person’s lifestyle is the main factor in contracting not just oral cancer, but just about any type of cancer that there is.

The main cause of oral cancer – but not the only one – is excessive consumption of cigarettes and tobacco. Many people may not know it, but the constitution of tobacco is made up of more than 19 carcinogens. If these carcinogens are ingested and triggered in the mouth, oral cancer may develop. When people say consumption, it is not only limited to smoking. The act of chomping on tobacco itself can also be a factor for oral cancer.

Chewing other things like betel or paan can also lead to the development of oral cancer. In fact, the practice is so widespread in India that 40% of the country’s cancer patients are suffering from oral cancer. In contrast, places where the practice is not common like the United Kingdom has oral cancer patients making up only 4% of the cancer patient population.

Excessive consumption of alcohol may also be a precursor to oral cancer. The risks increase when the vice is coupled with heavy use of cigarettes and tobacco.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Oral cancer can be treated when detected early on, just like any form of cancer. For example, the patches on the mouth are in the pre-malignant stage before it develops into cancer. This can be treated if spotted early.

Diagnosis is mostly done by removal of a sample – a suspected lesion in the patient’s mouth – by a dentist or any medical professional. The sample is then looked at a microscope to determine malignancy. When a tumor is detected, the tumor may be surgically removed if small enough. If the cancer is at an advanced stage, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be performed.

It is very important to find first signs and symptoms of prostate cancer as soon as possible in order to have successful treatment.

But what exactly is prostate cancer and how can you make sure you do catch it well in advance before it becomes life threatening?

The prostate gland is located in the lower abdominal cavity of men and is responsible for maintaining the health of the sperms as they move on their tortuous journey form the testis to the penis. It secretes an important as material responsible for keeping the sperm viable for reproduction on their journey out of the body.

The exact location of the prostate gland is very important as it’s placed under the urinary bladder and surrounding the neck of it; just like a collar. The prostate gland surrounds the neck of the bladder called as the urethra which is responsible for allowing the passage of the urine out of the body.

A healthy prostate is tiny and shaped like a circular walnut. But under disease conditions the gland can enlarge and then choke off the urethra leading to the typical symptoms of a full bladder but extreme difficulty in urinating. The prostate’s location is such that the flow of urine can stop completely if the prostate grows too large.

Typical signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Extreme difficulties in starting to urinate but a constant feeling of a full bladder even after you have passed urine.
• The force of the stream of urine seems very weak
• Urine continues to dribble even after you’ve finished.
• Frequent urination even at night and blood or pus in the urine flow.
• Pain while urinating or ejaculating.
• Extreme pain in the lower back and hip which increases over time.
• Sudden loss of weight with loss of appetite.

If you experience any of these symptoms then it’s essential you visit your doctor and get a complete check up done immediately. Most doctors will refer you to a proctologist who is a specialist in dealing with anal and rectal conditions .A few specialized diagnostic tests are recommended before a diagnosis of prostate cancer can be reached and they are

• DRE or a digital rectal examination by which the doctor will examine the prostate gland manually by palpating it through the rectum and anus wall. An enlarged gland can be felt very easily.
• A blood test is also recommended called as the PSA test or the prostate-specific antigen test. Men who have developed prostate cancer show higher levels of the PSA antigen in blood.
• Further test are recommended if the PSA test come out positive and you may be asked to do a Trans-rectal ultrasound, a cyto-scopy and a trans-rectal biopsy which will definitely ascertain whether you have prostate cancer.

Once a diagnosis has been established then treatment will depend on how for the cancer has spread or in which stage it is. The conventional mainstay of any cancer treatment happens to be radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to remove the affected parts. But this can only be decided by a trained consultation with a doctor.

Risk factors for the disease are not really known but a few familiar culprits are smoking, alcohol, long standing diabetes, chronic pancreatitis and a few hereditary conditions like hereditary pancreatitis, familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch syndrome), and ataxia-telangiectasia.

The main reason why pancreatic cancer is so scary is because of its speed in spreading. Pancreatic cancer has no symptoms in the early stages and then it spreads so rapidly that diagnosis and treatment becomes absolutely redundant. But I don’t want to be the eternal pessimist and here’s what I’ve learned about the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer

• Upper abdominal pain which will spread all over the abdomen but it’s not specific and can mimic indigestion.
• Yellowing of skin and of the eyes causing jaundice due to malfunctioning of the pancreas.
• Sudden loss of weight and depression, fever.
• Bloating and body pains

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer not very specific and can be easily confused for simple common conditions. As a result a large number of affected patients do not understand the symptoms of the disease and land up with a more advanced stage of disease which is much more difficult to treat.
The best way to get yourself checked for pancreatic cancer is if you are a part of the risk factors then you have to get yourself checked for cancer immediately at your doctor. Get a complete physical done and during the physical examination if the doctor can feel a hard mass in the abdomen then its time to go in for more invasive tests like and X-Ray. Further tests you can use are abdominal ultrasounds and abdominal CT scans for a better picture and a better diagnosis. Some doctors will recommend a per-cutaneous biopsy and an endoscope biopsy for diagnosis and grading and staging.

Treatment for every type of cancer is surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. But the prognosis for every type of cancer is dependent on how far the caner has spread at the time of diagnosis and only 15-20% of the patients are able to get their cancer diagnosed so early. Despite recent advances with every type of cancer, the prognosis for pancreatic cancer is really poor and everything depends on the five year mark for recurrence.