Cancer of the Exocrine Pancreas: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Digestion issues are usually not a sign of a life threatening health complication. For some adults, the complications with digestion may be an early sign of a life threatening, an incurable, form of pancreatic cancer. If you have persistent diarrhea, and issues with metabolic disorders, cancer of the exocrine pancreas may be of health concern to you.

The exocrine pancreas provides vital enzymes to the digestive system that are necessary for the breakdown of foods. When exocrine pancreas cancer is present, the enzymes needed for digestion begin to diminish and can become absent, resulting in an inability to breakdown proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

When suffering from conditions involving poor digestion, be sure to investigate the presence of cancer of the exocrine pancreas and, if confirmed, understand that there will be few treatment options made available to you. Because this form of pancreatic cancer is not curable, the treatment of choice will typically involve providing enzyme supplementation to replace the absence of digestive enzymes. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, in the case of this malignancy diagnosis, are not typically successful.

Just like the management of acute pyelonephritis, and issues involving kidney complications, any type of health issue that involves digestion and cancer should be addressed diligently. When suffering from cancer of the exocrine pancreas, your digestion will be the most important issue as you’ll want to maintain your health and improve your overall longevity.

Cancer, of any type, can lead to complications involving digestion. But, when the malignancy is affecting the most important digestive organs, including the pancreas, there can be more extenuating health conditions that arise. From malnutrition to diabetes, if you have been diagnosed with cancer of the exocrine pancreas, be sure to ask about enzyme therapy to boost your overall health – and to mitigate these secondary health risks.

Sources: The Pancreatic Oath, by Candice Rosen


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