Pediatric Pancreatic Malignancy/Trauma Problems
A pancreatic malignancy is a cancerous tumor in the pancreas. Pancreatic trauma happens when a child receives an injury directly to the pancreas.
What is Pediatric Pancreatic Malignancy/Trauma Problems?
Your child’s pancreas makes and releases enzymes that help break down food during digestion. The pancreas also makes and releases hormones that control sugar and salt levels in the blood. When something happens to your child’s pancreas, it can create serious problems throughout the entire body.
It is rare for a child to experience a pancreatic malignancy or trauma; however, it can happen. A pancreatic malignancy means there is a tumor in the pancreas that contains cancerous cells.
Pancreatic trauma can happen if your child receives a direct blow to the upper part of the abdomen where the pancreas is located. Children are naturally smaller than adults and are therefore more at risk for pancreatic injury in a traumatic accident.
What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Pancreatic Malignancy/Trauma Problems?
The signs of a pancreatic malignancy in a child depends on where in the pancreas the tumor is located and if the tumor is secreting (leaking) a particular enzyme or hormone. Tumors that do not secrete anything may not cause any symptoms at all. Symptoms of pancreatic malignancy may include:
Changes in behavior
Muscle weakness
Pain that spreads to the back
Weakness
Vomiting blood
The signs of pancreatic trauma include:
Circular bruising on the upper abdomen that looks like a handlebar
Elevated levels of lipase and amylase enzymes in a blood test
What are the causes of Pediatric Pancreatic Malignancy/Trauma Problems?
Pancreatic malignancies happen when there is abnormal cell growth in the pancreas that causes tumors to form. If these cells are cancerous, the tumor will be cancerous.
Pancreatic trauma in children is caused by any incident that involves a direct blow to the upper abdomen, including:
Bicycle accidents
Car accidents
Gunshot wounds
Falls
Knife wounds
Pediatric Pancreatic Malignancy/Trauma Problems Doctors and Providers
