History | End-stage pancreatic cancer

History

The pancreas can be removed in case of cancer. Although this is a major operation, especially if the tumour is located in the head of the pancreas, as it is somewhat hidden under the intestine and also very close to the aorta and other abdominal structures, it is not always easy to remove the pancreas. Nevertheless, it is possible for patients to live without this organ without any problems.

In most patients, however, surgery is not sufficient or cannot cure the disease. These patients receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy or palliative treatment. You can find more information here: Treatment of pancreatic cancer However, if the tumour could be completely removed and it was not larger than 3 cm, almost half of the patients survive for more than 5 years.

You can find more information here: Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis and Pancreatic Cancer Chance of SurvivalPancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive form of tumor. However, since the first noticeable symptoms usually only appear in the final stage of pancreatic cancer, the prognosis is unfortunately correspondingly poor. Surgical treatment is often started, in which the tumour is removed, if possible, and affected parts of the pancreas are surgically removed.

In order to remove as many tumour cells as possible, adjacent abdominal organs, such as the gall bladder, are usually also removed. In most cases, the operation is followed or preceded by chemotherapy. In many cases of end-stage pancreatic cancer, however, treatment is not necessary due to the advanced stage of the disease.

The operation is very extensive and stressful for the body. Chemo- and radiation therapies have a limited chance of success and are an additional burden on the body, which is unfortunately usually necessary. Therefore, there is no good prognosis in the final stage of pancreatic cancer.

These measures would only weaken the body even more and would no longer have any advantage. Therapy options for advanced pancreatic cancer are palliative measures. These are treatment options that no longer aim to cure the disease, but only to alleviate suffering.

For example, a small tube (also known as a stent) would almost always be inserted into the bile duct, which should ensure that the bile can flow into the digestive tract. As soon as this stent is placed, the yellowing of the skin and the itching disappears. The missing digestive enzymes are also replaced, thus improving digestion.

Furthermore, painkillers can be given as a palliative measure for existing pain. For example, a small tube (also known as a stent) would almost always be inserted into the bile duct to ensure that the bile can flow into the digestive tract. As soon as this stent is placed, the yellowing of the skin and the itching disappears.

The missing digestive enzymes are also replaced, thus improving digestion. Furthermore, painkillers can be given as a palliative measure for existing pain. Morphine is a very potent analgesic which has its field of application in the treatment of severe pain.

It is also very often used in the treatment of pain caused by tumours. In the final stage of pancreatic cancer, pain develops very late, which is then described as belt-like and dull. After the usual painkillers then very quickly fail to help, drugs such as morphine are used.

Often this is already a palliative treatment situation. Morphine can be taken in tablet form on an outpatient basis, i.e. at home, or it can be administered by an injection under the skin on an inpatient basis or by a nursing service. Side effects of morphine can almost always be constipation and sometimes fatigue and rarely respiratory problems. Due to the urgent need for treatment of the severe pain, the side effects in the palliative treatment situation are to be regarded as rather minor. You can find more information on morphine here