Monday 17 February 2014

Islet cell cancer



Islet cell tumors are abnormal cells that form in the tissues of the pancreas.

Islet cell cancer is a term used to describe a group of cancers that can occur in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. Islet cell cancers, also known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, are very rare.

The most common type of pancreatic cancer is called ductal adenocarcinoma, or simply, adenocarcinoma. This type of pancreatic cancer begins in the exocrine component. Learn more about adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Much less commonly, tumors can begin in the islets of Langerhans, the endocrine component. An islet cell tumor can also be called a pancreatic islet cell tumor, pancreatic endocrine tumor, Islet of Langerhans tumor, or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. The rest of this section focuses on islet cell tumors.

The pancreas has two basic process in the body. It produces digestive juices that help break down (digest) food, and hormones (such as insulin) that regulate how the body stores and uses food. The area of the pancreas that produces digestive juices is called the exocrine pancreas. About 95% of pancreatic cancers begin in the exocrine pancreas. The hormone-producing area of the pancreas has special cells called islet cells and is called the endocrine pancreas. Only about 5% of pancreatic cancers start here. This summary has information on cancer of the endocrine pancreas (islet cell cancer). (See thePDQ summary on Pancreatic Cancer Treatment for more information on cancer of the exocrine pancreas.)

The islet cells in the pancreas make many hormones, including insulin, which help the body store and use sugars. When islet cells in the pancreas become cancerous, they may make too many hormones. Islet cell cancers that make too many hormones are called functioning tumors. Other islet cell cancers may not make extra hormones and are called nonfunctioning tumors. Tumors that do not spread to other parts of the body can also be found in the islet cells. These are called benign tumors and are not cancer. A doctor will need to determine whether the tumor is cancer or a benign tumor.

A doctor should be seen if there is pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, stomach pain, a tired feeling all the time, fainting, or weight gain without eating too much.

If there are symptoms, the doctor will order blood and urine tests to see whether the amounts of hormones in the body are normal. Other tests, including x-rays and special scans, may also be done.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the type of islet cell cancer the patient has, how far the cancer has spread, and the patient's overall health.

Saturday 15 February 2014

What is chemotherapy?


What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to to kill cancer cells .so they cannot reproduce and spread.

Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer.

Friday 14 February 2014

Why staging is important?


Why staging is important?

Staging is important because it usually shows the specialist which treatments patient need.
If a cancer is in one place, then a local treatment such as surgery or radiotherapy could be enough to get rid of it completely.

What is cancer staging?


What is cancer staging?

Cancer staging describes the severity of a patient cancer.



Types of Cancer (or) Stages of cancer


Types of Cancer (or) Stages of cancer

stage 0 is in situ cancer;

stage 1 is localised cancer

stage 2  spread to the nearest lymph nodes;

 stage 3 indicates more extensive lymph node involvement and it is subdivided into three categories — IIIA, IIIB and IIIC — based on a number of criteria.

stage 4  indicates distant spread. such as the lungs, liver, bones or brain.


Additional Information About Cancer


Additional Information About Cancer

Cancers that are diagnosed with the greatest frequency in the world are listed below. 

Bladder Cancer
Breast Cancer
Colon and Rectal Cancer
Endometrial Cancer
Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer
Leukemia
Lung Cancer
Melanoma
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
More cancer topics:
Cancer Prevention
Cancer Genetics
Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
Screening and Testing to Detect Cancer
Cancer Treatment
Coping with Cancer
Cancer Statistics
Clinical Trials
Cancer Publications
The risk of developing many types of cancer can be reduced by practicing healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and not smoking. Also, the sooner a cancer is found and treatment begins, the better the chances are that the treatment will be successful.

Patient Question.


What is cancer?

Types of Cancer (or) Stages of cancer

What causes cancer?


What is cancer staging?

What is chemotherapy?

How is pain controlled?

What are clinical trials?

What is islet cell cancer?

What is palliative therapy?

What is radiation therapy?

What is an oncologist?

Should I get a second opinion?

When is surgery possible?

What are the possible side effects?

What about alternative treatments?

Are there support groups for people with pancreatic cancer?

What types of surgical procedures are performed to treat pancreatic cancer?

What are the available treatment options?

Should I participate in a clinical trial?

What kinds of questions should I ask my doctor(s)?

How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?

Is pancreatic cancer contagious?

What causes pancreatic cancer?

If I think I may be at risk, what should I do?

What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

What is the pancreas?

What does the pancreas do?

What is the difference between a benign or malignant tumor?

How does cancer spread?

Where does pancreatic cancer begin?

What is metastatic pancreatic cancer?

Additional Information About Cancer






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