What is the benign pancreatic tumor?

A benign pancreatic tumor is a growth that does not invade tissues nearby. Also, its cells do not metastasize, or break off and circulate through the body to settle new areas. This differs from a malignant, or cancerous, tumor, which will try to conquer the entire body. The types of growths on the pancreas that are classified as benign are usually cystic tumors and some kinds of neuroendocrine tumors. Usually, benign pancreatic tumor is known as the insulinoma of the neuroendocrine system. Less than 10 percent of these become malignant. Insulinomas are called functioning tumors, because they secrete the hormone insulin.

Though the term benign implies harmlessness or lack of damaging characteristics, benign pancreatic tumors are not truly harmless. In fact, few tumors are truly harmless. First, they can mutate into cancerous cells, and second, the symptoms they can produce are bothersome at best.

What is the types of benign panreatic tumor?

The common benign pancreatic tumor types, most of them functional (hormone secreting), are glucagonomas, GNRHomas, somatostatinomas, VIPomas, insulinomas, PPomas, gastrinomas, and ACTHomas. They occur in the islet cells of the pancreas. They are named for the hormones they secrete. The symptoms of hormones when too much is secreted can sometimes be as fatal as the cancer itself. Except for the insulinomas, these types have a high probability of becoming cancerous.

Cystic pancreatic tumors, also called cystadenomas, grow on the pancreas surface. They are very rare, with only 150 cases reported since their discovery in 1981. In North America and abroad, cystic tumors of the pancreas account for only 1 percent of growths found on the pancreas. Most cystic pancreatic tumors occur in younger women, though 80 percent of a cyst type called mucinous cystic neoplasms occurs in women around 54 years of age.

Unlike solid tumors, cysts resemble masses containing debris. This structural difference is part of what makes most cysts benign. Still, some pancreatic cysts, usually neuroendocrine and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), can mutate into cancerous growths. In a study, 64 percent of patients with MCNs had malignant cysts. But 63 percent of these were treatable. Only 22 percent had spread to other regions.
Usually, benign pancreatic tumor is known as the insulinoma of the neuroendocrine system. Less than 10 percent of these become malignant. Insulinomas are called functioning tumors, because they secrete the hormone insulin.

What is the symptoms and sign of benign pancreatic tumor?

Pancreatic tumors’ symptoms, especially the early symptoms, often manifest themselves subtly – a twinge of abdominal pain here, a feeling of nausea there. And unfortunately, early pancreatic tumor symptoms are often absent altogether. This is a very dangerous aspect of the tumors, for around 90% of all pancreas growths are malignant, or cancerous. By the time the symptoms escalate and multiply, the cancer is already deeply entrenched. But one can prevent this by being alert to the symptoms so as to catch the pancreatic tumor in its early stage. The symptoms include abdominal pain; jaundice and itchiness; nausea; spontaneous weight loss; chills and fever; cramping; depression, related to treatment side effects and the cancer’s disease process; and loss of appetite. In their later stages, pancreatic tumors’ symptoms grow to chronic pain, vomiting, nausea, malabsorption, abdominal distension (when the cancer has spread), and imbalanced blood sugar levels.

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom, with 3/4 of people with pancreatic tumors experiencing it. Occasionally back pain also occurs. The pain can feel visceral and dull. Often, the tumor’s increasing size causes the discomfort, for the mass pushes against nearby structures. It may also touch nerves. Due to the pancreas’s position behind the stomach, abdominal pain may increase after meals or while lying down. The stomach pushes the tumor, which then pushes its surroundings.

Jaundice is also common. It occurs when the pancreatic tumor is in an area like the head where it can obstruct the bile duct. The liver creates bile to aid fat digestion. The bile duct carries it to the upper part of the small intestine. When a tumor blocks the passage, the bile pigments build up in the skin and eyes. This creates a definite yellow hue called jaundice. Itchiness (pruritis) is a symptom of jaundice.

The obstructed bile duct also creates other pancreatic cancer symptoms, namely vomiting, nausea, malabsorption, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Because bile allows for proper digestion of fats, proteins, and starches, it is an indispensable part of the digestive system. Therefore, when it is lacking, it has serious effects. For example, nausea arises from the inability of the body to digest food. Weight loss and malabsorption (inadequate absorption of vitamins, minerals, and energy) occur for the same reason. Weight loss may also occur when the cancer is in its late stages, because its rapidly multiplying cells compete with normal cells for energy.

Fever and chills also relate to bile duct obstruction. The blockage can result in an infection, and the body responds with fever as it tries to kill the microorganisms. Chills arise from the body’s response to infection, but vaccine therapy can also cause them.

The symptom of blood sugar imbalance, however, relates to the pancreas tumor’s destruction of pancreas cells. One of the pancreas’s main functions is to secrete a hormone called insulin, which regulates how much glucose is in the blood. When problems such as tumors interfere with insulin’s ability to regulate glucose, diabetes results.

Unfortunately, pancreatic tumors’ symptoms resemble those of other disorders. So if you experience any of the above symptoms on a fairly regular basis, it would be wise to visit a doctor. Tests can help confirm their cause, and quick identification and action are essential.

BENIGN PANCREATIC TUMOR

What is the diagnosis for benign pancreatic tumor?

Since the majority of pancreatic cysts are small and produce no symptoms, they often are discovered incidentally when abdominal scans (ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI) are performed to investigate unrelated symptoms. Unfortunately, ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans cannot reliably distinguish benign cysts (cysts that usually need no treatment) from precancerous and cancerous cysts (cysts that usually require surgical removal).

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is becoming increasingly useful in determining whether a pancreatic cyst is benign, precancerous, or cancerous. During EUS, an endoscope with a small ultrasound transducer on its tip is inserted through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach into the duodenum. From this location very close to the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder, accurate and detailed images can be obtained of the liver, pancreas and the gallbladder.

During EUS fluid from cysts and samples of tissue also can be obtained by passing special needles through the endoscope and into the cysts or tumors. The process of obtaining tissue or fluid with a thin needle is called fine needle aspiration (FNA).

The fluid obtained by FNA can be analyzed for cancerous cells (cytology), amylase content, and for tumor markers [tumor markers, such as CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), are proteins produced in large quantities by tumor cells]. For example, pancreatic pseudocyst fluid will typically have high amylase levels but low CEA levels. A benign serous cyst adenoma will have low amylase and low CEA levels, whereas a precancerous or cancerous mucinous cyst adenoma will have low amylase levels but high CEA levels. The cells obtained by fine needle aspiration can be examined under a microscope for cancer or precancerous cells.

What is the treatment for benign pancreatic tumor?

Surgery

An operation may be done to remove the tumor. One of the following types of surgery may be used:

• Enucleation: Surgery to remove the tumor only. This may be done when cancer occurs in one place in the pancreas.
• Pancreatoduodenectomy:A surgical procedure in which the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, nearby lymph nodes and part of the stomach, small intestine, and bile duct are removed. Enough of the pancreas is left to make digestive juices and insulin. The organs removed during this procedure depend on the patient’s condition. This is also called the Whipple procedure.
• Distal pancreatectomy: Surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas. The spleen may also be removed.
• Total gastrectomy: Surgery to remove the whole stomach.
• Parietal cell vagotomy: Surgery to cut the nerve that causes stomach cells to make acid.
• Liver resection: Surgery to remove part or all of the liver.

Radiofrequency ablation:

The use of a special probe with tiny electrodes that kill cancer cells. Sometimes the probe is inserted directly through the skin and only local anesthesia is needed. In other cases, the probe is inserted through an incision in the abdomen. This is done in the hospital with general anesthesia.

Cryosurgical ablation:

A procedure in which tissue is frozen to destroy abnormal cells. This is usually done with a special instrument that contains liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide. The instrument may be used during surgery or laparoscopy or inserted through the skin. This procedure is also called cryoablation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy). Combination chemotherapy is the use of more than one anticancer drug. The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type of the cancer being treated.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy is a cancer treatment that removes hormones or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing. Hormones are substances made by glands in the body and circulated in the bloodstream. Some hormones can cause certain cancers to grow. If tests show that the cancer cells have places where hormones can attach (receptors), drugs, surgery, or radiation therapy is used to reduce the production of hormones or block them from working.

Doctors usually treat the cysts and benign tumors through minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic procedures. Small pancreas resections are also used. These surgery types decrease recovery time and discomfort.

Though not considered as life-threatening as other growths, a benign pancreatic tumor can become malignant or grow to a size that interferes with the body’s systems. Fortunately, the tumors can be removed with ease, and after removal they and rarely reappear.

What about treatment with Chinese herbal medicine?

The traditional Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture techniques can only reduce the size of the cancer cells and prolong the life of a cancer patient. According to the research of Malaysia Chinese Master, the herbal medicines used are free from any harmful side effects to patients. Thus, if a patient in a manner that herbal medication and follow the advice of the Chinese Master, may the disease will be reduced.

Chinese Master uses a so-called Sabah Snake Grass cancer herbs or also known as “Yu Xun Cao”, it has been widely used in Malaysia and other Asia countries to treat dampness, heaty conditions, cancer, tumors, uric acid, gout, urinates renopathies (disease of the kidney) and uterine fibroid.

Patient need the professional advice from the herbalist – Chinese Master to take Sabah Snake Grass to treat the  cancer. Chinese master will give you the best advice and guides about how to take Sabah Snake Grass, so you can treat your cancer with Sabah Snake Grass and without any of the side effect such as weakness leg.

Sabah Snake Grass in traditional Chinese cancer herbs medicine for over thousands of years, is usually decoction into herbal drink together with other types of herbs to treats diseases mentioned and uremia for kidney patient primarily and to reduce of urine toxic.

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