Steve Jobs Has Rare Pancreatic Cancer

Is Steve Jobs At The End Of Battle?

Steve Jobs, Apple’s former CEO, has neuroendocrine tumor in his pancreas, a rare type of pancreatic cancer. He survived for years by undergoing aggressive treatment and even a liver transplant. However, experts say his decision to resign as Apple’s chief executive could be a sign that the disease is advancing beyond the means of medicine. Gastrointestinal oncologist Zev Wainberg of UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center, who has no personal knowledge of the case, claims that the Apple executive might not have more years behind him. University of California-San Francisco pancreatic cancer expert Margaret Tempero, says people diagnosed with more common pancreatic cancers to that of Steve Jobs usually die within a year.

Steve Jobs Undergone Aggressive Surgical Treatment

Steve Jobs has undergone aggressive treatment which was first announced in 2004. He underwent pancreatic surgery to remove the cancer then a liver transplant in 2009. The finding suggests that the tumor has metastasized from his pancreas to his liver in spite of the surgery. Liver transplants are rarely successful for cases like that of Steve Jobs, Margaret Tempero says.

Causes Of Neuroendocrine Tumors Still Unknown

Doctors are still studying what really causes neuroendocrine tumors to develop. However, the most common types are correlated to smoking and obesity. A diet full of red meat and fat is also a possible risk factor. African-Americans, diabetics, men and those who are above fifty years are highly at risk of pancreatic cancer.  Those whose families have a medical history of pancreatic cancer are highly at risk as well.  Chronic inflammation of the pancreas and exposure to certain chemicals also cause the disease.

Early Diagnosis Is Key

Researchers are actively finding ways to diagnose pancreatic cancer in its early stages, when the disease they believe might be more curable. Scientists are searching for genes that may be linked to the disease by  studying families who have members that developed the cancer. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore announced in January this year that they had uncovered the genome responsible for neuroendocrine tumors. The discovery could lead to better treatments, the scientists hoped.
In this article, you learned that Apple chief executive Steve Jobs has a rare form of pancreatic cancer called neuroendocrine tumor.  Steve Jobs have undergone treatment in 2004, a pancreatic surgery and a liver transplant in 2009. It is reported that doctors are still unsure of the cause of pancreatic cancer. However, the disease is linked to obesity and smoking. To prevent the spread of the disease, early diagnosis is key especially when it is still in a curable stage.