Pancreatic Cancer

Following recent studies, researchers are currently suggesting that people using Byetta for diabetes treatment may have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Byetta related cancer pancreas side effects potentially affect only a small number of people using this widely prescribed drug, but the exact number is unknown.

Symptoms
• dark urine, clay-colored stools
• jaundice – yellow skin and eyes
• weakness and fatigue
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• nausea and vomiting
• Painful feelings in the abdomen or upper part of belly

Diagnosis
• Physical examination
• CT scan: detailed x-rays are taken of your pancreas and nearby organs checking for a tumor
• Ultrasound: sound waves are used to create an image of our pancreas and surrounding organs identifying a tumor or blocked ducts
• EUS: an endoscope (thin, lighted tube) is inserted down your throat and into the first part of the small intestine. An ultrasound probe then creates a picture of the pancreas to help identify a tumor
• Needle biopsy: a thin needle is used to remove a small tissue sample from the pancreas which is then analyzed to look for any cancer cells
• PET scan: after receiving an injection of radioactive sugar the PET scanner produces an image where cancer cells appear brighter and may also identify a tumor in the pancreas

Staging
When cancer of the pancreas spreads, the cancer cells may be found in nearby lymph nodes or the liver. Cancer cells may also be found in the lungs or in fluid collected from the abdomen.

If a patient receives a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, their treating physician will determine what stage the cancer is at in order to develop a treatment plan. This process is referred to as “staging”.

The pancreatic cancer stages include:

• Stage I: cancer cells (tumor) are only found in the pancreas
• Stage II: the tumor has grown and spread into nearby tissue
• Stage III: the cancerous tumor continues to grow and spreads into nearby blood vessels
• Stage IV: the tumor has spread into distant organs such as the liver or lungs
There are a number of treatment options that your treating physician may consider depending on which stage your cancer is at. These options may include: chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Options

There are a number of different treatment approaches for patients diagnosed with Byetta related cancer pancreas side effects. The type of treatment depends on several factors including: the location of the tumor in the pancreas; whether the tumor has spread; and the patient age and overall heath.

Surgery: There are several different surgical treatment options that your doctor may use for patients with an early stage of pancreatic cancer. The surgeon normally only removes the cancerous part of the pancreas.

Chemotherapy: chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells, is used both before and after surgery depending on the individual patient’s circumstances. The drugs are administered in cycles with each treatment followed by a rest period.

Targeted Therapy: this treatment option is used to help slow the growth of pancreatic cancer through a drug that is taken by mouth.

Radiation Therapy: this treatment therapy is usually used along with chemotherapy and uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells by aiming the radiation beams at the cancer in the abdomen.

We represent all patients suffering from pancreas cancer side effects or family members of a loved one that died on a contingency basis which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no-obligation consultation please call toll free or fill out our short online contact form and an attorney will contact you to answer any of your questions including the latest cancer warning and FDA news and Byetta lawsuit claim filing deadlines. There is a limited time to file your case, so please do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.