17 Dec, 2024
17 Dec, 2024
This article is medically reviewed by Dr. Bharat Prajapati, Consultant - Surgical Oncology, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad.
World Pancreatic Cancer Day, which is sometimes referred to as “World Pancreatic Day,” is celebrated on the third Thursday of November every year. In 2024, it will be observed on 21st November. The aim of observing World Pancreatic Cancer Day is to spread awareness about the disease, such as early symptoms, treatment available, and ongoing research in the domain of pancreatic cancer.
There are several advantages to raising awareness about pancreatic cancer during World Pancreatic Cancer Day:
Pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed in the advanced stages because of zero symptoms in the early stages or vague early symptoms. It is important to make people aware of various symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is crucial for the timely detection of pancreatic cancer. Early detection and appropriate treatment significantly improve the survival rate.
Certain factors enhance the risk of pancreatic cancer. These include smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy lifestyles, obesity, and exposure to toxic chemicals.
On World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day, healthcare professionals raise awareness about these risk factors and help individuals take charge of their pancreatic health.
Pancreatic cancer poses a physical, emotional, and financial burden to patients and their caregivers. It is important to support the patients and caregivers by advocating for financial help or by informing them about the latest treatment available.
The following are the different treatment options available for pancreatic cancer:
The surgical interventions for pancreatic cancer may be curative surgery, debulking surgery, or palliative surgery.
The curative surgery involves resection of the tumor to treat the disease. The debulking surgery involves removing as much tumor tissue as possible and subjecting the remaining cancer cells to other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Palliative surgery is performed to manage the symptoms caused by excessive tumor growth. The aim of palliative surgery is not to treat the disease; it is to delay the disease's progression and prolong survival. Pancreatic cancer treatment is usually comprehensive and may involve more than one treatment to improve the quality of overall treatment outcomes.
Several surgical interventions are available for pancreatic tumor resection based on the type and location of the tumor.
The Whipple’s procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) is performed to treat the cancer located at the head of the pancreatic gland. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the pancreatic head with or without the body of the pancreas and nearby structures.
The nearby structures that are removed include the nearby lymph nodes, gallbladder, small intestine, part of the stomach, and the bile duct. The surgery may be open surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
Distal pancreatectomy involves the removal of the pancreatic tail, while total pancreatectomy is the technique to remove the entire pancreas and other structures, such as part of the small intestine and stomach, gallbladder, and common bile duct.
The surgical interventions for palliative care in pancreatic cancer patients include biliary bypass surgery and biliary stent placement.
Radiation therapy may be given before the surgery to reduce the tumor size and to improve the treatment outcomes. Radiation therapy may also be used after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells.
Radiation therapy may also be used along with chemotherapy in patients with metastatic cancer where the complete tumor is not removed through surgery.
In patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy is probably the first-line systemic therapy when surgery alone is not enough to manage cancer.
Chemotherapy may be used along with radiation therapy to minimize the tumor size as much as possible, thereby improving outcomes. It may also be used after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells. It is also recommended as part of palliative care for reducing the symptoms, such as pain.
Pancreatic cancer develops due to the genetic mutation in healthy pancreatic cells resulting in uncontrolled division and proliferation. The growth and spread of pancreatic cancer cells occur as a result of cellular changes that happen during the mutations.
Targeted therapy targets cellular changes that are specific to the cancer cells. Targeted therapy does not affect the healthy cells, and therefore, its side effects are relatively fewer compared with chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy is an advanced treatment option that enhances the ability of the immune system to detect and kill cancer cells. Immunotherapy interferes with the process that aids the cancer cells to remain hidden from the immune system.
Immunotherapy is recommended in those patients with pancreatic cancer in whom the surgery is not feasible or effective, have recurrent pancreatic cancer, or the cancer has spread to multiple organs or tissues.
Several innovative treatment options related to pancreatic cancer have either been introduced in the market or are under clinical trials for safety and efficacy evaluations.
The ‘stomach-preserving’ and ‘pylorus-preserving’ surgical techniques have improved the quality of life of patients by reducing the side effects. In addition, techniques involving the reconstruction of blood vessels allow the surgeon to achieve favorable outcomes in patients with locally advanced cancers.
Innovative locoregional therapies are available for unresectable pancreatic cancer. These include endoscopic ultrasound-guided implantation of radioactive iodine-125 (125-I) seeds and image-guided percutaneous puncture.
Various ablative therapies are also evolving for the management of unresectable pancreatic cancer. These include radiofrequency ablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and irreversible electroporation.
Various new techniques for delivering chemotherapy drugs are also available that assist in improving the treatment outcomes and minimizing side effects. These include endoscopic ultrasound-guided peritumoral delivery of antitumor agents.
Pancreatic cancer is a rare but serious condition. Globally, it ranks 14th in incidence and 7th in cancer-related deaths. In India, pancreatic cancer accounts for 10,860 new cases (1.03%) annually and is ranked 24th in incidence and 18th in mortality, placing it outside the top ten cancers nationally. Among men, it ranks 21st, and among women, 17th. Pancreatic cancer is more common in older adults, with over 50% of cases occurring in those aged 65–75, and is most prevalent in Northeastern parts of India.
The color purple stands as the symbol for the fight against pancreatic cancer, representing strength, bravery, and respect on World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Various shades of purple embody empathy and awareness, honoring both those facing the disease and the unwavering support of their loved ones.
The goal of World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month 2024 is to raise worldwide awareness of pancreatic cancer by enhancing communication, backing research efforts, and providing the public with current information.
Pancreatic Cancer Month aims to inspire healthcare professionals, researchers, and organizations to take meaningful steps toward transforming the outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients globally.
There is no method to completely avoid the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. However, certain measures help in reducing the overall risk of pancreatic cancer. These are:
There are various ways through which you can support and spread awareness about pancreatic cancer on World Pancreatic Day:
World Pancreatic Cancer Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of November. It aims to raise global awareness about pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic Awareness Day highlights the importance of early detection, understanding risk factors, supporting patients and caregivers, and promoting ongoing research. This day also aims to raise awareness about multiple approaches available for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Through education, fundraising, and participation in events, individuals can contribute to the welfare of those affected by pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Bharat Prajapati
Consultant - Surgical Oncology
MBBS, MS, FMAS, FALS (Oncology)
Dr. Bharat Prajapati is a renowned GI & hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon, trained to perform laparoscopic and robotic surgeries in India. He is available for consultations at HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, a top-ranking cancer hospital in Ahmedabad. He has received extensive training in minimal access surgery, advanced laparoscopy, GI, HPB & thoracic oncosurgery, robotic surgery, portal vein resection, PIPAC surgery, and more. His expertise lies in sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery, complex hepatobiliary cancer surgery, cytoreductive surgery, and PIPAC surgery. He adopts a patient-centered approach to treatment, focusing on minimally invasive interventions for the best outcomes.
To book an appointment with Dr. Bharat Prajapati, please click here.
