Symptoms and measures for advanced pancreatic cancer

Common symptoms of advanced pancreatic cancer include jaundice, pain, gastrointestinal obstruction, etc., and treatment mainly focuses on symptom relief.

1. Management of jaundice

In the late stage of pancreatic cancer, jaundice often occurs due to the compression of the bile duct by the tumor, and the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow. This not only affects the appearance, but may also cause itching and fatigue. Common methods of reducing jaundice include biliary drainage, which helps bile discharge by placing a stent or drainage tube to relieve jaundice symptoms.

2. Pain control

Pain is a common problem for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, usually caused by tumors eroding nerves. Pain management can use analgesics, such as opioids, and nerve blocks when necessary. These methods help patients maintain a certain level of comfort in their lives.

3. Treatment of gastrointestinal obstruction

When a tumor presses on the stomach or intestines and causes obstruction, the patient may experience nausea, vomiting, and difficulty eating. Gastrointestinal drainage or gastrostomy is a common treatment. These surgeries help food pass through the digestive tract and improve the patient's nutritional status.

4. Nutritional support

Pancreatic cancer patients often suffer from malnutrition due to their condition affecting their appetite and digestive function. Proper nutritional support is essential, and a high-calorie, high-protein diet or nutritional supplements can be used to maintain body weight and energy levels. If necessary, the guidance of a nutritionist can also be of great help.

5. Psychological support

Facing the severe challenges of advanced pancreatic cancer, psychological support is particularly important. Patients often feel anxious and depressed, and professional psychological counseling and support groups can help patients and their families better cope with emotional distress.

6. Palliative care and quality of life

The focus is on improving quality of life rather than curing the disease. The palliative care team develops a personalized care plan that takes into account the patient's physical, emotional, and social needs. This comprehensive care can help patients have a better experience of life in the terminal stages.

Through the above measures, patients with advanced pancreatic cancer can relieve symptoms and improve their quality of life to a certain extent. Although they cannot cure the disease, these methods provide patients with more comfort and support. In the face of such challenging times, patients and their families need to work closely with the medical team to find the most appropriate treatment and care plan.