Pancreatitis from Chemotherapy: An Unlikely and Very Undesirable Side Effect

Pancreatitis from Chemotherapy: An Unlikely and Very Undesirable Side Effect
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Chemo Side Effects

How chemotherapy works to help treat cancer is the same way that it causes harm. These anti-cancer drugs attack rapidly dividing cells that exist throughout the body. This includes cancer cells, but also healthy bone marrow cells, hair follicles, and cells of the gastrointestinal tract. The result — chemo can effectively slow or even stop tumor growth, but also causes problems, from minor bouts of nausea to more dangerous side effects such as pancreatitis.

Problems with the Pancreas

Why certain patients develop pancreatitis from chemotherapy is not completely clear. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. The acute form of this disease is often caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Drugs, not only chemotherapy drugs but also medications for rheumatoid arthritis and bipolar mood disorder, sometimes are behind problems with the pancreas. What happens that this condition develops?

The pancreas has two main functions within the body. It produces digestive enzymes to break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It also releases hormones to regulate blood sugar levels. It plays a central role in maintaining balance as the body consumes and utilizes food. The function of the pancreas is kept in balance by zymogen granules. These compounds, being acidic and of a low concentration of calcium, make sure digestive enzymes are not activated prematurely. When the secretion of the zymogen granules is inhibited because of alcohol use or certain drugs, acute pancreatitis can occur as the enzymes are activated before being secreted, thus damaging the organ itself.

Signs of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is very easy to recognize. It causes severe and sudden pain around the navel. The pain radiates to the back. Movement makes the pain worse, sitting usually makes it lessen. Nausea and vomiting, excessive gas, fever, sweating, high blood pressure, and muscle aches are other symptoms of this condition.

If you experience any of these symptoms talk to your doctor immediately. Not all chemotherapy drugs will cause this side effect. Also, it may be drugs that are given along with the chemo drugs, such as prednisone, that are causing the problems with the pancreas. Your doctor will probably take you off the medication as continued use of an agent that disrupts the function of this organ will only exacerbate the problem. Traditional treatment includes medications to relieve the pain, a restoration of fluid balance, and possibly non-invasive surgery.

Being aware of the possibility of developing pancreatitis from chemotherapy is important as patients can look for early warning signs and talk to their doctor instead of allowing the condition to worsen. As a side effect, it is highly unlikely that this condition will occur, but it can happen.

References

EMedicine https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/181364-overview

Gastrointestinal Toxicity of Chemotherapy https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:81XxqqQkFtkJ:www.lsge.org/events/gastro2006/GastrointestinalToxicity.ppt+pancreatitis+from+chemo&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Medscape https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409496\_3

photo by E Magine Art