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Pancreatic fibrosis is a condition where fibroids or abnormal tissue form in the pancreas, often caused by cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis. Lack of proper nutrition can lead to weight loss and affect the body’s ability to fight infections. Symptoms include upper abdominal pain, indigestion, and oily stools. Tests such as stool samples and imaging techniques can help diagnose the condition.
The pancreas is a gland that sits above the small intestine and behind the lower stomach. In addition to producing insulin, which the body needs to process sugar, the pancreas also produces enzymes needed for digestion. Various diseases or injuries could cause fibroids or abnormal tissue to form in the pancreas. When fibroids form in the tubes that carry digestive enzymes to the intestines, it results in a condition known as pancreatic fibrosis.
Without the proper enzymes, nutrients from food cannot be absorbed properly. As a result, many pancreatic fibrosis patients are underweight, even though they eat well. Lack of proper nutrition can affect the body’s ability to fight off infections and keep blood sugar levels steady. Children who have pancreatic fibrosis may have stunted growth and may not develop skills as quickly as healthy children.
One of the most common causes of pancreatic fibrosis, particularly in children, is cystic fibrosis. In patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, mucus blocks the ducts that carry digestive enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine. These mucus plugs often harden into fibroids, although researchers disagree on the precise reason for the change.
Among adults, many conditions can cause pancreatic fibrosis, but pancreatitis is the most common. Pancreatitis occurs when enzymes that are not normally activated until they reach the intestine become active while still inside the pancreas. The pancreas becomes irritated and inflamed, and scar tissue or fibroids may form. Alcohol consumption, gallbladder disease, high blood calcium levels, certain thyroid conditions, and infections are among the possible triggers of pancreatitis.
Fibroids in the pancreas can also appear after some surgeries. Patients who have had surgical treatments for gallstones may be at a higher risk, but it is possible to develop pancreatic fibroids after any abdominal surgery. Abdominal injuries, such as might occur in an automobile accident, can also lead to pancreatic fibrosis.
Symptoms of pancreatic fibrosis include unexplained weight loss, pain in the upper abdomen, indigestion, and oily, foul-smelling stools. Some patients may also experience nausea or vomiting. The pain might become more severe after eating, or it might feel like it’s in the back.
A doctor might order one or more tests before making a diagnosis of pancreatic fibrosis. Stool samples can be tested to check fat levels to determine if nutrients are being absorbed properly. Blood tests may reveal that the excess enzymes are being produced by the pancreas. Imaging techniques such as ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans are sometimes used to give a healthcare professional a nonsurgical look at the pancreas.
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