Before elaborating on abdominal ache as a symptom of pancreatic cancer, and on the availability of Ayurvedic treatment for Cancer, let us try and understand a few important facts about the abdomen and pancreatic cancer.   

Abdomen is usually referred to as Pandora's Box because of the presence of various organs, and the complex mechanisms of their respective functionality. Also known as the stomach (or belly), it is constituted of the area of our body between the chest and pelvis. Abdominal pain encompasses feelings of discomfort in any given region your belly. It is often addressed as 'stomach-pain’ or 'stomach- ache’, although the pain can be originating from any of the numerous internal organs besides your stomach.

Nine regions of Abdomen:

Pancreas is an organ in the abdomen which lies behind the lower part of the stomach. The pancreas is a heterocrine (mixed) gland as it acts as both - an endocrine and an exocrine gland. It acts as an endocrine gland as it secretes the hormone Insulin into the blood. It acts as an exocrine gland as it secretes digestive enzymes and juices through the pancreatic duct. Hence, the pancreas is considered a mixed gland.

Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas. Various types of growth can occur in the pancreas, including cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. There are two types of pancreatic cancer -  

1. Endocrine Pancreatic cancer: Tumors that begin at the islet cells (also known as neuro-endocrine cancer). It is rare and the growth is slow.

2. Exocrine Pancreatic cancer: Tumors occurring at the cells that line the ducts that deliver the enzymes (also called as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma). It is the most common type of pancreatic cancer.

A common symptom of pancreatic cancer is the occurrence of a dull pain in the upper abdomen (belly) and/or middle or upper back that comes and goes (radiating). This is usually caused by a tumor that has formed in the body, or tail of the pancreas, which can press on the spine.

The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer often don't occur until the disease is at an advanced stage. The most common symptoms are:

● Abdominal pain that radiates to your back.

● Loss of appetite and weight loss.

● Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice).

● Light-colored stools.

● Dark-colored urine.

● Itchy skin.

● Uncontrolled and recent diagnosed diabetes.

● Fatigue.

If patients are showing any of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer you may have to take multiple tests to try and find out what is happening. The symptoms may be due to a number of reasons. In most cases, patients do not have cancer. However, it is still important to get the symptoms investigated. The possibility of patients getting diagnosed with just abdominal ache as a sign of pancreatic cancer in the early stages is very rare. However, in more extreme cases, it might be advisable to opt for Ayurveda for Cancer as a means of affordable cancer treatment.

Abdominal Pain in Pancreatic Cancer: It is felt as a dull pain in the upper abdomen (belly), and/or the middle or upper back, that comes and goes (radiating). This is usually caused by a tumor that has formed in the body or tail of the pancreas because it can press on the spine. It  may be worse within minutes after eating or drinking at first, more commonly if foods have a high fat content. Its often misunderstood as acidity or flatulence.

Diagnosing pancreatic cancer

The diagnosis of Pancreatic cancer is not always simple, and healthcare professionals may not always be able to offer complete certainty. Everyone’s journey to a diagnosis is different. The only things in common are mainly waiting and worrying.

Often people begin by seeing their general physician. Some people may have to pay several and regular visits before they are diagnosed. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be quite vague and difficult to diagnose in the early stages. If symptoms are not getting any better, it is important to keep investigating in a periodic manner.

Investigations:

Ultrasound whole abdomen, CT scan, and Biopsy are the tests which can detect and confirm the carcinoma of pancreas.

Misdiagnosing pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer can be a difficult condition to diagnose because the symptoms of the disease can be vague. Therefore, it might often be mistaken for other conditions which are more common. It is sometimes misdiagnosed as conditions including:

● Gallbladder disease ( e.g: gallstones) 

● Gastroesophageal reflux disease- GERD (heartburn and reflux) 

● Peptic ulcer (sore area in the stomach, oesophagus or small intestine) 

● Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)  

● Muscular pain  

● Diverticulitis (inflammation or infection in the intestines)  

Misdiagnosis of pancreatic cancer can increase the time between visiting the doctor and getting the correct diagnosis, exacerbating the situation. Patients who are misdiagnosed also have, on average, more visits to their doctor and more diagnostic tests. This might keep the pancreatic cancer advancing to severe stages and thus also increasing the risk. In severe cases, in the lack of credibility of conventional treatment regimes, ayurvedic treatments for Cancer can help alleviate the suffering from the affliction, and also complement the possibility of holistic recuperation from the same.

Stay Healthy,

Stay Happy!