Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rates

Pancreatic cancer survival rates are low when compared to other types of cancers. However, the good news is that if this cancer is discovered early survival rates increase for about 5 years depending on how far the cancer has spread inside the pancreas and surrounding parts.

Pancreatic cancer survival rates are low because of three reasons:

* Symptoms of this cancer are often visible quite late when the cancer has spread inside the pancreas.

* Symptoms are quite common and could be because of many different diseases and not unique to the pancreatic cancer.

* The cancer spreads fast inside the pancreas giving very less time for diagnosis and the prognosis thereafter.

Worldwide figures suggest very low survival rate. Each year approximate 37000 people are diagnosed with this disease. However, deaths are as high as 34000 out of the 37000 diagnosed, thus making it the cancer with highest mortality rate.

However, it is the people having adenocarcinomas that suffer more and are least likely to extend span of their life. People suffering from other type of Pancreatic cancer which constitutes only 5% of the total pancreatic cancer is the cystadenomas. People suffering from cystadenomas have higher chances of survival. The cysdenomas have different methods of diagnosis and prognosis.

Surgery can help in increasing life of the patient considerably; however it depends on the extent of the spread of cancer. Cancer which has spread all over the pancreas is difficult to remove therefore even after removal of the pancreas a person cannot live a normal and healthy life.

If the cancer has not spread surgery can prove quite useful in extending a person's life. Removal of affected areas of the pancreas and the stomach can prove to be life giving. However, this also depends on the surgeon's skill. Pancreatic cancer surgery is a complex process therefore, the possibilities that there could be some complications during and after the surgery are quite high.

Many patients succumb to the cancer even after the surgery because of surgical problems. Even though the cancer patients may survive after a surgery, there is a strong possibility that they could suffer from diabetes later on. Once part of the pancreas is removed, production of insulin through this gland is compromised thereby making the patient highly dependant on doses of insulin.

There are several factors that can cause the pancreatic cancer, however, it has been recently found that vitamin B and folate when consumed through food have the capacity to prevent pancreatic cancer, though this study is in its primitive stage. However, tablets seem to have no effect on prevention of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer survival rates are low, however, you can do your best by preventing this cancer totally. Try and substitute red meat, alcohol and smoking with something healthier, try and start salads, raw or cooked vegetables as regular food thereby reducing the risk of this cancer.