Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in the pancreas, an organ situated in the abdomen, start to grow abnormally, leading to the formation of a tumour. The disease is most prevalent among people aged 65 and above and factors like smoking, chronic pancreatitis, a family history of pancreatic cancer, certain genetic syndromes, and diabetes can be some of the biggest risk factors.
Regular screenings are the key to catching the cancer on time. This facilitates timely and effective treatment. However, another way is to monitor your symptoms and check for any new development of medical conditions. In fact, it is believed that a new onset diabetes can also be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Dr Mridul Malhotra, Senior Consultant and Head-Medical Oncology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, explains.
Also Read: Pancreatic Cancer: How To Know If The Cancer Has Spread?
The Link Between New-Onset Diabetes And Pancreatic Cancer
In most cases, diabetes and pancreatic cancer are not related, says Dr Malhotra. However, in some people, diabetes may happen suddenly due to pancreatic issues.
“Cancer of the pancreas may result in disruption of insulin production leading to high blood sugar levels and the onset of diabetes,” the doctor shares.
Explaining the role of pancreas, he says, “Pancreas have the important role to produce hormone insulin, which helps our body utilise sugars from food for energy. This system works effectively when we live a healthy and active lifestyle.”
“Therefore, an unhealthy lifestyle including improper diet and lack of activity can result in excess sugar in the blood causing insulin resistance. This in turn pushes the pancreas to more insulin and eventually fails to keep up with the demand resulting in type 2 diabetes,” he adds.
Having said that, it is important to note that in some cases, pancreatic cancer can disrupt the insulin production of the pancreas causing diabetes, which is why the emergence of new-onset diabetes can be an early warning sign of pancreatic cancer and it’s important to get it checked, Dr Malhotra advises.
A 2009 study published in the Journal Lancet Oncology found that diabetes in pancreatic cancer was diagnosed either at the same time with the cancer (in 40%), or within two years before the diagnosis of the cancer (16%). It was further reported that diabetes was new-onset, meaning 24 months in duration, in 74–88% of pancreatic cancer patients.
Can Diabetes Be A Risk Factor For Pancreatic Cancer?
While new-onset diabetes can be a sign of pancreatic cancer, it can also be a risk factor for the disease.
As discussed, the pancreas plays an important role in making insulin, which helps to regulate our blood sugar. When our body is not able to use the insulin adequately, it results in type 2 diabetes and living with the condition for a long time can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Although the reasons are not really clear, it can be due to having too much insulin, high blood sugar and persistent inflammation resulting from type 2 diabetes, according to Dr Malhotra.
“Alternatively, people having some issues with pancreas, such as ongoing pancreas inflammation, pancreatic cancer or cystic fibrosis may develop diabetes quickly rather than diabetes causing long term harm,” says the doctor.
Also Read: Pancreatic Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Other Symptoms Of Pancreatic Cancer
Besides a new-onset diabetes, other common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Stomach pain that spreads to the sides or back
- Itching
- Dark-coloured urine
- Light-coloured stools
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice
- Tiredness or weakness
- Pain and swelling in the arm or leg may be present
Treatment Options
When it comes to the treatment approaches for pancreatic cancer, it all largely depends on the stage and how far the tumour has spread in and around the pancreas.
Treatment of resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy followed by surgery, surgery followed by chemotherapy or chemoradiation.
Palliative therapy can be initiated at any stage of disease.
According to the doctor, treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer may include chemotherapy with or without targeted therapy, chemotherapy and chemoradiation, surgery and palliative surgery or stent placement to bypass blocked areas in ducts or the small intestine.
Lastly, treatment of metastasized or relapsed pancreatic cancer may include chemotherapy with or without targeted therapy and clinical trials of new anticancer agents with or without chemotherapy.
It is advised to seek your doctor’s guidance before deciding on a treatment plan.
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