Aretha Franklin Passes Away from Uncommon Pancreatic Cancer
The recent announcement revealed that Aretha Franklin, renowned as the “Queen of Soul,” succumbed to a rare type of pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Eric Liu, a specialist in neuroendocrine tumor surgery at Sarah Cannon located at Presbyterian/St.
Luke's Medical Center, provided insights concerning this diagnosis.
What Form of Pancreatic Cancer Did Aretha Franklin Have?
When referring to pancreatic cancer, the focus is usually on adenocarcinoma, the more prevalent form with a survival rate of 1-3 years post-surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.
However, there exists another less common type known as pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer or “PNET,” which both Aretha Franklin and Steve Jobs battled.
What are the Primary Roles of the Pancreas?
The pancreas serves two main purposes – aiding digestion and regulating hormones.
Positioned in the upper back part of the abdomen, it primarily secretes enzymes for digestion, with a smaller portion dedicated to hormone secretion through neuroendocrine cells that manage blood sugar levels.
Diseases like diabetes stem from issues with the pancreas.
What Triggers Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer?
The causes of neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer remain mostly unknown, though certain genetic conditions elevate the risk of developing this form of cancer.
Distinguishing Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer from Ductal Carcinoma Cancer
Neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer progresses slower than pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the type Patrick Swayze succumbed to in 2009.
Patients with neuroendocrine cancer have better survival rates, with the liver being the most commonly affected organ, although it can spread to other body parts.
How Common is Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer?
Approximately 6% of pancreatic cases involve neuroendocrine cancer, with around 177,000 total neuroendocrine cancer cases and an estimated 7,000 new cases annually compared to the 55,000 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cases diagnosed yearly in the US.
How is it Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer typically requires a CT scan to detect tumors in organs like the pancreas or liver.
Who's Vulnerable to the Disease?
The condition affects individuals across various demographics, commonly diagnosed in individuals aged 50-60, with slightly more cases in men than women.
What Symptoms Might Occur?
Symptoms may include diarrhea, glucose fluctuations, ulcers, cough, joint pain, wheezing, and flushing, though some individuals remain asymptomatic until incidental discovery during medical investigations.
What Treatment Options Exist?
Treatment involves surgery to remove tumors, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, liquid radiation, and organ-specific treatments like liver embolization.
What's the Survival Rate?
Survival rates vary due to the cancer's diverse nature, ranging from 20-30 years for some patients to one to two years for others, contingent on the disease's aggressiveness.
How Can Risk be Minimized?
While there's no direct way to reduce neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer risk, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by exercising, avoiding smoking, and consuming a balanced diet is crucial.
Obesity and smoking are known risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
For inquiries about pancreatic cancer, a 24/7 nurse service is accessible through askSARAH at askSARAHnow.com.
Dr. Eric Liu oversees the Neuroendocrine Institute at HealthONE's Presbyterian/St.
Luke's Medical Center in Denver, affiliated with HCA Healthcare.
