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St. Louis Man's Battle With Pancreatic Cancer Inspires Change
St. Louis man's battle with pancreatic cancer inspires change
A local man's battle with pancreatic cancer has inspired his family and doctors to fight even harder for a cure.
Kyle Andersen was 47 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He had no family history of the disease, and the husband and father of three small children lived an active, healthy lifestyle.
His wife, Kira, pushed hard to find her husband the best treatment possible.
After fundraising from countless phone calls, emails, texts, letters, and in-person meetings, she got results: her husband underwent a groundbreaking new treatment from Siteman Cancer Center that helped extend Kyle's life by 17 months.
But the fight for Kyle has not ended. Through the Kyle Andersen Research Fund, Kira and physicians continue to work to raise funding and awareness about pancreatic cancer. FOX 2's Jasmine Huda spoke with Kira Andersen and Washington University Surgical Oncologist Dr. Roheena Panni about Kyle's story.
For more information on supporting the Kyle Andersen Research Fund, click here.
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Recognizing Subtle Signs Of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer develops quietly, with symptoms that may seem insignificant at first glance. This cancer affects the pancreas, a vital organ controlling digestion and blood sugar regulation. Its "silent" nature makes early detection particularly challenging, as symptoms often mimic common ailments. Without recognition, the disease progresses unchecked, potentially limiting treatment options.
Early detection remains crucial for effective treatment. Because symptoms frequently go overlooked, many cases reach advanced stages before discovery. Understanding subtle signs enables proactive health management and timely medical consultation.
Core warning signsPersistent abdominal and back pain
A dull ache in the abdomen that radiates to the lower back often marks early stages. This pain typically worsens when lying down but may improve slightly when leaning forward. Many mistake it for indigestion or muscle strain, delaying crucial medical attention.
The pain's persistence or gradual worsening should prompt concern. Abdominal discomfort without clear cause, especially lasting several days, may indicate pancreatic issues. Pain intensifying after meals or appearing randomly requires evaluation.
Unexplained weight changes
Sudden weight loss and decreased appetite may signal pancreatic cancer. While many attribute these changes to stress or diet, persistent unexplained changes warrant investigation. The cancer can interfere with proper digestion, leading to nutrient deficiencies and rapid weight decline.
Jaundice indicators
Yellowing skin and eyes, known as jaundice, may signal pancreatic cancer when the disease blocks the bile duct. This blockage leads to bilirubin buildup in the body. Additional signs include:
Stool changes
Changes in bowel movements provide important clues. Fatty stools (steatorrhea) appear oily and resist flushing. Poor fat digestion, common with pancreatic dysfunction, causes these changes. Persistent alterations in stool color, consistency, or odor require medical evaluation.
Blood sugar fluctuations
The pancreas helps regulate blood sugar, and cancer can disrupt this function. New or worsening diabetes without typical risk factors may warrant further investigation. Unexplained blood sugar changes, especially alongside other symptoms, signal the need for medical consultation.
Ongoing fatigue
While fatigue affects everyone occasionally, persistent unexplained exhaustion may indicate serious conditions. Cancer cells compete with healthy cells for nutrients, while reduced pancreatic function creates energy deficits. Unrelenting tiredness, particularly with weight loss or digestive changes, requires medical attention.
Post-meal distress
Nausea and vomiting, especially after eating, may indicate pancreatic issues. Though these symptoms have many causes, persistent digestive disruption suggests potential pancreatic dysfunction. The pancreas's crucial role in digestion means cancer can significantly impact nutrient processing.
Back pain considerationsBack pain, while common, sometimes indicates pancreatic cancer. A deep, dull ache persisting despite standard treatments like rest or stretching may signal underlying issues. This pain, combined with other symptoms like abdominal discomfort or jaundice, requires thorough evaluation.
Taking actionExperiencing these symptoms doesn't automatically indicate pancreatic cancer. However, proactive health management includes:
Symptom tracking
Record when symptoms occur, their duration, and potential triggers. This information helps healthcare providers evaluate concerns effectively and recommend appropriate tests or treatments.
Medical consultation
Discuss concerning symptoms with primary care providers, who may suggest additional testing or specialist referrals. Early intervention often provides more treatment options.
Health awareness
Understanding pancreatic health helps identify concerning changes. Regular check-ups and symptom awareness enable prompt action when needed.
Preventive measuresMonitoring health changes and maintaining regular medical check-ups supports early detection. Key preventive steps include:
While pancreatic cancer symptoms may seem subtle, they hold significant importance. Recognizing these warning signs and seeking timely medical evaluation can affect treatment options and outcomes. Healthcare providers emphasize that early detection through symptom awareness plays a crucial role in addressing potential pancreatic issues.
Remember that staying informed and proactive about health concerns empowers better medical decisions. Regular health monitoring and prompt attention to persistent symptoms support overall wellbeing and enable earlier intervention when needed.
This story was created using AI technology.
Early Data Demonstrate Ablation May Alleviate Pain From Pancreatic Cancer
In the first 15 patients, radiofrequency ablation was shown to reduce pain scores in most patients with pancreatic cancer.
In the first 15 patients, radiofrequency ablation was shown to reduce pain scores in most patients with pancreatic cancer.
Initial findings from a proof-of-concept trial demonstrated that transvascular energy to ablate relevant nerves causing pain in patients with pancreatic cancer may be able to mitigate it without the use of opioids, according to a press release from Autonomix Medical.
In particular, 11 out of the 14 patients (79%) with pancreatic cancer treated with transvascular energy to destroy nerves potentially causing pain responded to the treatment, according to the release. On the Visual Analog Scale, which rates pain between 0 (no pain) and 10 (worst pain imaginable), there an average reduction from 7.82 to 2.86 at seven days after the procedure, equating to an average reduction of 4.96 points. This represented a mean improvement of 66% in overall health status in patients seven days after the procedure.
"The significant reduction in pain and improvement in quality of life demonstrated in the study to date are incredibly encouraging," Brad Hauser, CEO of Autonomix, said in the release. "These data provide a strong indication that our technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment paradigm for pancreatic cancer pain."
Researchers also assessed Visual Analog Scale scores in patients regardless of whether they responded to the treatment or not. In all patients in the study, the average reduction in the Visual Analog Scale pain score was 3.64 points, or 48%, when comparing scores before and after the procedure.
Through the seven days after the procedure, patients also experienced a decrease in the demand for opioids, and no patients who responded to treatment needed a dose increase. The release also noted that no patients in the study who responded to treatment needed opioids after their 24-hour follow-up visit after the procedure.
"Pain has a significant impact on the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer," Dr. Robert Schwartz, chief medical officer of Autonomix, said in the release. "Available data suggests that over 80% of pancreatic cancer patients report moderate to severe pain associated with their disease. Opioids are the mainstay of treatment for these patients, and often they are not enough to prevent trips to the ER for breakthrough pain episodes and interruptions in dosing of their underlying cancer treatment. Our data to date suggest we can dramatically reduce pain in these patients, eliminate opioid use and improve the quality of life for these patients in a rapid and meaningful manner."
In this study, researchers enrolled patients with severe abdominal pain from unresectable pancreatic cancer whose life expectancy is three months or fewer. The platform assessed in this study uses a catheter-based antenna to identify target nerves that may be causing pain in patients with pancreatic cancer, according to the release. Once detected, radiofrequency ablation kills the nerves as a tactic for pain reduction.
"Current approaches, primarily relying on opioids or invasive ethanol injections, can provide only limited relief and may lead to risky side effects," as noted in the release.
The main goal of the study was to assess the success rate of ablation to relevant nerves as a method of pain relief for patients with pancreatic cancer experiencing pain. Other areas of interest for the researchers conducting this study include change in pain levels from before and after the procedure; device- and procedure-related side effects for up to four to six weeks after the procedure; and change in quality of life from before and after the procedure, according to the release. Patients who underwent a successful procedure in the trial were assessed at seven days, four to six weeks, and at three months after the procedure.
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