Published March 20, 2020
Pancreatic cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the pancreas, a relatively small organ that is responsible for assisting with digestion and helping manage blood sugar levels. While pancreatic cancer is rare and only accounts for about 7% of all cancer-related deaths, those who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer often find that the condition is terminal. With a one-year survival rate of 28.8% and a five-year survival rate of 7.9%, pancreatic cancer has the distinction of being a form of cancer with one of the lowest survival rates. The survival rate five years after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis is just 8%.
It is estimated that 51,980 people will lose their fight with pancreatic cancer in 2025. However, abdominal ultrasounds, a form of ultrasonography, may help improve pancreatic cancer survival rates by identifying concerning changes earlier.
Why is the Pancreatic Survival Rate So Low?
Pancreatic cancer is a bit of a medical mystery, which is one of the main reasons the survival rate is so low.
One of the first challenges with this form of cancer is that no one is sure what causes pancreatic cancer. There are very few things that seem to increase the risk of a person developing pancreatic cancer. The medical community has noted that patients who regularly use tobacco are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than non-smoking/non-chewing/non-vaping patients. The American Cancer Society reports that 25% of patients who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are smokers, adding to their overall risk profile.
Other issues that can increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Some hereditary gene mutations
- Chronic pancreatitis
There is also some indication that individuals who work in the dry cleaning and/or metalworking industries are exposed to chemicals that could increase the risk of developing pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
The fact that there are very few clear indicators suggesting a risk of developing pancreatic cancer makes it difficult for a healthcare provider to know who they should and shouldn’t screen, and this is likely one of the reasons pancreatic cancer has such a low survival rate. The lack of screening means that pancreatic cancer is not detected while in the early stages of pancreatic cancer, making a successful treatment extremely difficult.
The Importance of Early Detection
Not having a clear understanding of why some people develop pancreatic cancer and others do not is just one of the reasons this form of cancer is not diagnosed in the early stages. Another reason there’s very little early detection is that there simply are not many symptoms that can be used as early warning signs. Understanding the signs, symptoms, and stages of pancreatic cancer will help you get the treatments you need.
The symptoms that ultimately convince doctors to check a patient for pancreatic cancer often begin subtly and grow more severe with time. In addition to unexplained weight loss, jaundice, stomach pain, and back pain, doctors may investigate further when patients present with:
- Persistent nausea, indigestion, or loss of appetite that does not resolve with basic treatment.
- Chronic bowel habit changes, such as oily or pale stools caused by poor fat absorption.
- Blood sugar irregularities, which may mimic or worsen diabetes.
- Generalized fatigue or weakness, often without a clear cause.
- Unexplained blood clots, which can sometimes signal cancer spread.
When several of these signs appear together, an abdominal ultrasound is often ordered as the first non-invasive examination to rule out pancreatic abnormalities before moving toward a biopsy or other imaging.
The problem is that most of these symptoms either don’t develop or don’t become concerning until the cancer has already reached an advanced stage, by which point, successfully treating it is extremely difficult.
In most cases, pancreatic cancer is not detected until it has reached Stage IV, when it invades other organs. Pancreatic cancer in the liver, for example, is not liver cancer but metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Could Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer Improve the Survival Rate
For several decades, the medical community has known that one of the earliest signs of pancreatic cancer is small lesions called pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN).
Pancreatic research performed during various autopsies revealed that most middle-aged adult pancreases have some low-grade PanINs. This indicates that lesions are a part of the normal aging process.
Autopsies also revealed that while high-grade PanIN was not common in middle-aged adults, those who did have high-grade lesions also had a genetic history of pancreatic cancer. Based on this observation, pathologists hypothesized that the high-grade PanIN lesions would serve as an early warning sign of developing pancreatic cancer.
High-grade lesions (PanIN-3) are considered precancerous and may be present for years before invasive tumors develop. While these lesions themselves are not cancerous, it is believed that they serve as a precursor to invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
It is believed that the PanIN-3 lesions could be present for years before any cancer develops within the pancreas. One reason for this conclusion is that in cases where the PanIN-3 lesions were detected early, it was at an age that was often a full 3-5 years younger than individuals who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. When presented with an opportunity to observe the development of PanIN-3 lesions over time, researchers noticed that the patients remained in relatively good health for months and even years before they started having problems with their pancreas.
Pancreatic islets are not the only thing the pancreas develops that can serve as an early warning sign of pancreatic cancer. Researchers have also noticed fibrosis, which they call lobulocentric atrophy. Autopsies reveal that these fibrosis cysts develop in areas of the pancreas where there are several small, virtually undetectable PanIN lesions.
Can an Abdominal Ultrasound Detect Pancreatic Cancer
Determined to figure out ways to improve the pancreatic cancer survival rate and make early detection possible, the medical community has turned to ultrasounds.
Would abdominal ultrasound show cancer in its earliest stage, and if that cancer was detected in the early stages rather than when it was already quite advanced, could the cancer be treated?
The answer is yes. Many members of the medical community have determined that ultrasound technology is the first line of defense when it comes to diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer.
Abdominal ultrasounds have the potential to be highly effective in the war against pancreatic cancer. As ultrasound and imaging technology improve, the ability to use an ultrasound to both detect and monitor early warning signs of pancreatic cancer improves.
What Happens During an Abdominal Ultrasound?
Current ultrasound technology allows you to see if a pancreatic mass, such as a lesion, tumor, or cyst, has developed. During an abdominal ultrasound, high-frequency sound waves are directed toward the abdomen to create images of internal organs. The process is painless, involves no radiation, and takes about 30 minutes.
A clear gel is applied to the stomach area, and a handheld probe glides across the skin. The sound waves travel through the abdomen, bouncing off the pancreas, liver, vessels, and surrounding tissues. These echoes are converted into live images for immediate examination.
Once the ultrasound image has been captured, a medical team can review the images and determine if the cysts and lesions are the early warning signs of cancer or if cancerous cells have already developed. In addition to showing if there are any concerning lesions or cysts, the abdominal ultrasound will also show if the pancreas is enlarged or if there is any unusual blood flow.
Ultrasound technology is rapidly improving. As the images continue to get better, the odds of detecting pancreatic cancer just as it is developing will also improve.
<H2> Challenges in Using Abdominal Ultrasound <H2>
The biggest challenge connected to using an abdominal ultrasound to detect the early signs of pancreatic cancer is arranging to use the ultrasound for scanning purposes. Because the medical community has not yet identified any truly early warning signs of pancreatic cancer, most of the warning signs commonly connected to this type of cancer don’t develop until the cancer is quite advanced. It’s difficult to know who should have an abdominal scan done.
Considering how long it takes to develop warning pancreatic cancer symptoms and how difficult it is to determine who is a high risk for developing pancreatic cancer, it is likely that the only way to truly use abdominal ultrasounds to diagnose pancreatic cancer in the early stages is to make the ultrasounds part of routine cancer screenings, similar to the way mammograms and breast cancer screenings are now done annually to assist with the early detection of breast cancer.
What Does Pancreatic Cancer Look Like on an Ultrasound
On a pancreatic cancer ultrasound scan, the disease can appear as areas of abnormal tissue or lesions within the pancreas. These may present as darker or lighter areas compared to the surrounding healthy tissue, depending on the type of ultrasound used. Can an ultrasound detect pancreatic cancer? Yes, particularly when focusing on the appearance of pancreatic tumors or cysts, which are indicators of potential malignancies. An experienced radiologist can discern these abnormalities, making ultrasound a non-invasive method to identify pancreatic cancer early.
Other Imaging Tests
Abdominal ultrasounds are essentially a frontline diagnostic tool in the fight against pancreatic cancer. They are non-invasive and can detect abnormalities in the pancreas, such as tumors or cysts. The process involves using high-frequency sound waves to create images of the organs within the abdomen, offering valuable insights without the need for invasive procedures.
Other imaging tests help take this a step further by providing a more detailed look at the pancreas.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound / EUS: This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) through the mouth and stomach into the small intestine, close to the pancreas. At the tip of the endoscope is an ultrasound device that produces images of the pancreas. This method is particularly effective in detecting small lesions that may not be visible on an abdominal ultrasound, making it a key consideration in the question of “Can abdominal ultrasound detect pancreatic cancer or not?” Both an abdominal and an endoscopic ultrasound play pivotal roles in the early detection and treatment planning of pancreatic cancer. Their use in the medical field represents a commitment to leveraging technology to combat this deadly disease.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / MRI Scan: An MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the pancreas and surrounding structures, including the pancreatic and bile ducts. This method is beneficial for identifying abnormalities in soft tissues, helping to distinguish between benign and malignant pancreatic lesions.
- Computed Tomography / CT Scan: A CT scan uses a series of X-ray images taken from different angles to create cross-sectional images of the body. This helps in outlining tumors in the pancreas and other organs, showing if and how far cancer has spread. CT scans are often used to plan surgery or other treatments for pancreatic cancer.
- Positron Emission Tomography / PET Scan: A PET scan involves injecting a small amount of radioactive glucose into the body, which cancer cells absorb more than normal cells. A scanner then detects this radiation to produce images that show how abnormal cancer cells have spread throughout the body. A PET scan is particularly useful for staging cancer and evaluating the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
Is Pancreatic Cancer Treatable?
If the abdominal ultrasound reveals that the patient has developed pancreatic cancer, immediate steps can be taken to treat the cancer. When pancreatic cancer is caught early and the cancer hasn’t impacted other organs, surgery is the most effective and quickest form of treatment.
Aside from conventional treatments, some patients explore integrative options such as nutrition-based support, focusing on foods that cleanse the blood, or complementary therapies designed to strengthen immunity.
Contact the Immunity Therapy Center About Your Pancreatic Cancer
For those seeking more information on pancreatic cancer and its treatments, Immunity Therapy Center offers comprehensive resources. Our approach emphasizes whole-body healing, using both diagnostic tools like ultrasonography and natural therapies to support recovery. Whether you are asking, “Can an abdominal ultrasound detect pancreatitis or cancer?” ITC is here to provide answers, guidance, and personalized care.
At Immunity Therapy Center, we remain at the forefront of this battle, offering hope and advanced care options to pancreatic cancer patients. Every single person at our center is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-focused treatment.
Written By: Dr. Pablo Orozco
Dr. Pablo Orozco is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.
Dr. Orozco has been a treating physician at the Immunity Therapy Center for more than 3 years providing daily on site patient care. He works with patients on a daily basis and guides them through the treatment process. Dr. Orozco’s passion for Alternative Cancer Treatments along with his commitment to patient care is key to insure that our patients have the best experience and results possible.
Sources:
- NIH. The Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer: What Will it Take to Diagnose and Treat Curable Pancreatic Neoplasia? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24924775/
- Two Views. What is a Pancreas or Pancreatic Ultrasound? https://two-views.com/ultrasounds/pancreas-test.html
- Cancer Research UK. Abdominal ultrasound for pancreatic cancer. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/pancreatic-cancer/getting-diagnosed/tests-pancreatic-cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer Action. Is pancreatic cancer curable? https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/news/is-pancreatic-cancer-curable
- American Cancer Society. Tests for Pancreatic Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pancreatic-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/how-diagnosed.html
- NIH. Endoscopic ultrasound of pancreatic lesions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5783266/
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.