Celiac And Pancreatic Cancer?

[Greengal]

Does anyone know if Celiac can make you more susceptible to pancreatic cancer? I know that it can cause problems with the pancreas and make intestinal cancers more probable, but is there any research on pancreatic cancer specifically.

I'm asking because my mom died fairly young of pancreatic cancer, and I've been told by doctors that it may be hereditary and I should watch out and what not, and now I've been having problems and am in the process of being tested for Celiac, but am getting a lot of resistance and the common "you're not thin enough to be a celiac" responses from doctors.

Obviously, if there is a potential link between pancreatic cancer and Celiac it would be very advantageous for me to find this out, especially since no one seems to be taking me seriously. So, any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Guest jhmom]

Hi Greengal, welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your mom. Since she had a problem yes it would be wise to get it checked out (as you already are) good for you on taking charge of your own health!!

Here is a link to check out:

Research on disease and disorders associated with Celiacs

Here is the only one I could find in the above link:

Pancreatic Disorders / Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

I hope some of this info is helpful to you and I hope you get answers soon!

[Guest Addicted2Gluten]

That's interesting that you brought that up. My family has a strong history of pancreatic cancer and just recently we've been finding out that most of us seem to all have Celiac Disease. I've been wondering if there is a link between them.

[terri]

I've been curious about the same thing. My dad passed away at 56 from Pancreatic cancer. I can remember him having indigestion every night and miserable stomach problems. He was not thin, though. However I've been diagnosed through the blood tests with Celiac Disease and wonder if perhaps I inherited it from him? Perhaps he had it all along and undiagnosed it led into pancreatic cancer? It's interesting to hear of others with the same link as I don't believe pancreatic cancer is as common as others.

[debmidge]

My Dad died of pancreatic cancer but was not celiac. I am not celiac (my husband is). However, my Dad's pancreatic cancer symptoms were exactly like my husband's celiac. Diarrhea, intestinal pain, malabsorption, stomach gurgling sounds, weight loss, fatigue -- the only thing he had that was not celiac-sounding was back pain on the right going around his side to under his breast area.

He had high levels of bilirubin and alkaline photophosphate and white blood cells, etc., but his GP ignored them and told him it was severe stress and gave him prescription Immodium.

I think we all have to use our own judgment and always get second or third opinions.

[sparkles]

Hi Greengal.....first I am very overweight and have been all my adult life and I am a celiac. My doctor was also surprised when he read the diagnosis. I had a biopsy done. I think that is the only real proof of celiac's disease. BUT the reason I am writing....my mother passed away from pancreatic cancer and I too wonder about the relationship between the cancer and celiac disease. Though my mother was never diagnosed with celiac disease, she had all the classic symptoms from stomach and digestive disorders to being very thin. She died in 1984 and spent many years suffering with digestive disorders. If you have the opportunity to do some reading on celiac disease, you will find that not everyone who is a celiac is thin. It certainly makes sense that we would be but that just is not the case. I continue to struggle with weight. When I first became gluten-free I lost 25# but it has slowly returned. I started eating gluten-free processed foods, making and eating gluten-free breads and pastas. For me that was a huge mistake. Many are extremely high in sugars and fats..... It was depressing to be on a diet that hascaused me to gain weight....but lately I have come to terms with it. I have given up (or at least I am trying to) ALL gluten-free processed foods. My diet is fresh veggies, fruits, and meat!!! I am hopeful that this will make a difference. ANYWAY..sorry to get off on a tangent, but don't let your doc tell you that your are not thin enough to be a celiac. the only true test at least from what I have read, is a biopsy....and do tell him that there are overweight celiacs. Unfortunately I am one....pam

[californiagirl]

Wow, This topic is a little scary. I have so much in common with all that everyone is saying here. My Mother passed away last December from Pancreatic cancer. She was never diagnosed with celiac but I do remember her having symptoms over the years that would indicate celic. I began having problems during the time my Mother was sick. I really thought it was stress. I've been gluten-free since last spring, and I'm doing much better. It's still hard. I still miss stuff like Pizza Hut, and I mess up sometimes. Saturday night I had a mixed drink, it had vodka in it, I'm guessing that's what it was. I was in bed most of Sunday afternoon. I went to work today but my stomach still hurts, and I've barely eaten anything yesterday or today. Does anyone else find this to be the case. Your symptoms( when you do make a mistake after being gluten-free for many months) are more intense and last for several days?

Thanks, Chris

[burdee]

I don't have anything to share about pancreatic cancer, but I wanted to reassure any of you who don't fit the 'classic' (outdated) celiac profile (diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue), that only 10% of celiacs fit that profile. I disregarded my celiac disease symptoms for years because I did not have diarrhea (more constipation than anything). I AM thin, but I worked to keep my weight down to avoid the type 2 diabetes which almost all of my dad's family has or died from. There are soooo many other celiac disease symptoms and related autoimmune diseases that should make doctors and their patients consider celiac disease. If you're uncertain whether your symptoms are celiac related, check this or any other celiac disease website's list of symptoms. I'm glad to have learned I have celiac disease. so I can finally DO something to resolve many of my lifelong symptoms.

BURDEE

[wildones]

I am not your 'classic' looking celiac either. My kids all have celiac disease or gluten intolerance as does my husband. My kids are all have very different looking body types/weights/height and symptoms. They are triplets so I have a godd comparison group. One of my boys had his galbladder out at almost 5 yrs old. He had huge stones stuck in his common bile duct. He had a horrible case of pancreatitis after his first ERCP and has had several more cases in his continued biliary tract problems.( sugeries, dialation, stent in common bile duct...) I know that his (and my) liver problems and biliary tract problems (including chronic pancreatitis that can cause pancreatic cancer) can be caused by untreated celiac disease.

I would do a searc h by putting in biliary disorders and celiac and see what comes up. I like to look for medical journal articles at emedicine to bring to our specialists. They tend to respect the medical journal info more.

Are you seeing a GI dr recommended here ? If not and you are not comfortable with your GI dr's dismissal find a new one !!! There are good ones out there !! Good luck.

[storeyg]

Does anyone know if Celiac can make you more susceptible to pancreatic cancer? I know that it can cause problems with the pancreas and make intestinal cancers more probable, but is there any research on pancreatic cancer specifically.

I'm asking because my mom died fairly young of pancreatic cancer, and I've been told by doctors that it may be hereditary and I should watch out and what not, and now I've been having problems and am in the process of being tested for Celiac, but am getting a lot of resistance and the common "you're not thin enough to be a celiac" responses from doctors.

Obviously, if there is a potential link between pancreatic cancer and Celiac it would be very advantageous for me to find this out, especially since no one seems to be taking me seriously. So, any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

I have recently been confirmed as Coeliac and due to the fact that I don't fit the typical profile it has taken 10 months, repeated blood tests and 2 gastroscopies as the consultant wasn't sure the 1st gastroscopy had sufficient amount of biopsies carried out to be sure. I lost my mum and aunt (sisters to pancreatic cancer within 2 years of each other)both in their early sixties.Due to the relief of confirmation of coeliacs I did not think to ask if these could be connected as both are considered to be hereditary..According to the consultant who did a procedure on my aunt the type of pancreatic cancer she has was the hereditary variety which runs down the female line. Just not sure if the coeliac is from my mums side of the family and yet the symtoms I have been presented with are quite common there.

[veggienft]

My Dad died of pancreatic cancer but was not celiac. I am not celiac (my husband is). However, my Dad's pancreatic cancer symptoms were exactly like my husband's celiac. Diarrhea, intestinal pain, malabsorption, stomach gurgling sounds, weight loss, fatigue -- the only thing he had that was not celiac-sounding was back pain on the right going around his side to under his breast area.

The dichotomy of your relatives' symptoms parallel the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is, or can be, gluten protein mimicking endorphin. Gluten plugs into the pancreas nerve cells. The immune system attacks and kills the nerve cells and surrounding islet cells, recognizing them as having been compromised by an invading antigen.

Type 2 diabetes can start with the same gluten "attack". Gluten protein mimics endorphin, and plugs into the pancreas nerve cells. In type 2 diabetes the immune system does not recognize the gluten as an invading antigen. The gluten fools the pancreas nerve cells into thinking the blood is full of endorphin, the product of overt muscle exertion.

The pancreas reacts by releasing a constant supply of insulin. The insulin shuts down the conversion of fat into sugar. The blood fills with ingested sugar and unused insulin. Fat cells take in more fat, but they don't release any. The immune system responds by attempting to attack blood and arteries.

Evidence for this scenario includes the fact that pancreatic cancer is painful.

The above type 2 scenario means the pancreas normally operates in a state of pain. Overt exertion produces endorphin which relieves pancreas pain. Normal pancreatic pain is un-experienced by the host because the semi-autonomous operation of the enteric nervous system isolates pancreatic pain from being sensed.

When cancer attacks the pancreas, it introduces non-enteric nerve response, and the host senses the pain.

..

[Nancym]

I remember hearing Randy Pausch explain that pancreatic cancer can irritate (or affect) the gallbladder and cause digestion problems, like floating stools, but not everyone gets that symptom.

If I had pancreatic cancer in my family, I'd be severely limiting my consumption of sugars and starchy carbohydrates (that get turned into sugar once digested).

High Sugar Intake May Increase Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer tied to fizzy drinks and sugar

Dietary sugar, glycemic load, and pancreatic cancer risk in a prospective study.

Actually, I limit those things anyway simply because I am much healthier when I do!

[jimgil]

Hello all. Just found this forum.

I have been having a new problem recently; I'm 50 and my wind has intermittently over the last month become revolting, so much so I'm embarrassed to be in the same room as myself at times - what must others think!

My faeces are normal coloured though I have had very occasional diarrhoea, 3 or 4 times, the first one was in the morning with slight loss of control. (The day before that first attack, I had eaten an apple which I later found was from a tree with black spot). I don't have any other symptoms except occasionally a more rumbling tummy than usual and if I press above the belly button it occasionally feels like squeezing an orange; but no pain.

I wonder if I have become gluten intolerant, is that unusual to start at my age, and might it be linked to something more serious?

Tracing back I have eaten wheat bread on most occasions, if not every time, before my wind was at its worst.

Apart from a few months in my 30s when I lost a job, and the very occasional cigarette otherwise, I've been a non-smoker. My parents both died from cancer never diagnosed as pancreatic in either case but I sometimes wonder if in those days it wasn't picked up and the pancreas could have been where it started.

I'm as heavy as I've ever been, slightly though not grossly overweight for my age, about 5 kilos too much I'm told and that is about how I feel.

Incdentally are crisps gluten free?

Thanks for any replies, very saddened to hear of some contributors illnesses/losses here too.

[debmidge]

I remember hearing Randy Pausch explain that pancreatic cancer can irritate (or affect) the gallbladder and cause digestion problems, like floating stools, but not everyone gets that symptom.

If I had pancreatic cancer in my family, I'd be severely limiting my consumption of sugars and starchy carbohydrates (that get turned into sugar once digested).

High Sugar Intake May Increase Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer tied to fizzy drinks and sugar

Dietary sugar, glycemic load, and pancreatic cancer risk in a prospective study.

Actually, I limit those things anyway simply because I am much healthier when I do!

During my Dad's pancreatic cancer, the medical authorities pointed out his "cold cut" diet, especially cured meats like salami or pepperoni. The sugar connection sounds like a match as welll.

[McRhonda]

Hello, I just stumbled across this forum and topic while googling and trying to find a link between Celiac and Pancreatic Cancer.

My father had Celiac and died of Pancreatic Cancer at the age of 53. I also have Celiac Disease and have been on a gluten-free dieat for a few years now. I've been having some symptoms very similar to pancreatitus and pancreatic cancer and it's recently been getting much worse. I've been having a hard time finding a doctor that will take me seriously because when I tell them I'm having abdominal pain the response is, "Well, that's common when you have Celiac." (Even though my endoscopy shows no signs of sprue and the pain differs from when I used to have gluten.)

I really believe there is a link between the two and wish there were more studies on this.

[BasqueMom]

I was diagnosed with a mucinous cyst in the tail of my pancreas in 2008. I had surgery and the Dr. removed the tail of my pancreas. Thankfully they found no cancer. I have also been wondering if this had anything to do with me being an undiagnosed celiac for so very many years of my life. I brought up this idea to my gastroenterologist at my last visit. He says pancreatic cancer is or can be genetic. He is the one who diagnosed my cyst as being precancerous by doing an endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy. He takes a very narrow view of celiac disease, as far as I am concerned, and he said that my cyst would not have been caused by gluten consumption. I have never been diagnosed as being a celiac patient by any doctor. I finally did a DNA test several years ago after trying to eat gluten free for some time. I followed the diet carefully and then found out that the flour I was using was brown rice but not gluten free. I inherited the HLA-DQ 4,8 genes. I am assuming the HLA-DQ8 is from my mother's side of the family. She is 90 and we got her tested last year. She is definitely gluten intolerant and carried the HLA-DQ 3,1 (subtype 8,5). They were full blooded Basque and I remember my grandmother being unable to eat much of anything when I was a girl and vomiting often. My grandfather was very short of stature. Interestingly enough the history of pancreatic cancer is on my Dad's side. Assuming that I inherited the DQ8 gene from my mother the other DQ4 gene would have come from him. His mother, my grandmother, was full blooded Italian and the doctor believed that she died of pancreatic cancer. She had sinus problems and had a goiter removed. She died before the days of ultrasound, catscan, etc. From this same Italian side of the family I have lost a third cousin or first cousin twice removed to pancreatic cancer and a second cousin or first cousin once removed who had a cyst in her pancreas like me. All three of my children are gluten intolerant and so far one of my grandchildren. I, of course, do follow the diet which has made a huge difference in the way I feel. I don't understand all the gene issues but am wondering if possibly my Dad carried the gene for celiac also. He always had gastro intestinal issues.

[LRH]

I am not your 'classic' looking celiac either. My kids all have celiac disease or gluten intolerance as does my husband. My kids are all have very different looking body types/weights/height and symptoms. They are triplets so I have a godd comparison group. One of my boys had his galbladder out at almost 5 yrs old. He had huge stones stuck in his common bile duct. He had a horrible case of pancreatitis after his first ERCP and has had several more cases in his continued biliary tract problems.( sugeries, dialation, stent in common bile duct...) I know that his (and my) liver problems and biliary tract problems (including chronic pancreatitis that can cause pancreatic cancer) can be caused by untreated celiac disease.

I would do a searc h by putting in biliary disorders and celiac and see what comes up. I like to look for medical journal articles at emedicine to bring to our specialists. They tend to respect the medical journal info more.

Are you seeing a GI dr recommended here ? If not and you are not comfortable with your GI dr's dismissal find a new one !!! There are good ones out there !! Good luck.

Dear wildones, I am very interested in your son that has repeated bouts of Pancreatitis. My daughter's best friend has had the same (12yrs old) and just had to have a feeding tube put in last week. I have not ever heard of another child with this and was truly hoping that you would share a little more of your story with me. We want to help her in anyway that we can! Her

Pan. is not functioning any more and they are due to go to the top specialist in the nation in Jan of 2011. Please, answer as soon as you can, time is precious and so is our sweet friend!!!

Lee:)

[chasbari]

Lost two maternal aunts to pancreatic cancer. My mom is the lone sister to not have it so far but I have seen all the signs of celiac in her even though she tested negative after my diagnosis. I was also serum negative but positive by biopsy. My father in law had pancreatic cancer. I cannot get my wife to take this as a sign to have the whole family go gluten free even though the kids tested negative after my dx. I have seen the pancreatic link in my nephew who was recently diagnosed with Diabetes after severe weight loss and neuropathy. I suspect there may be a much stronger link to all of this. My father in law was in severe pain his last year as he tried to cover up what he was dealing with. I was going through all of my turmoil at the same time and could sense just how seriously ill he was. He had constant digestion issues and even though we talked about my issues and eventual diagnosis he was from the old school and thought I was being a bit extreme, perhaps. Wish I could have convinced him otherwise. Oh, and by the time I was dx'ed with celiac I was overweight even though I had severe malnutrition issues. Once the healing began and I cut out all grains completely I became healthier than I had ever been.. still have a ways to go as I still have damage.

[karenbell]

My father died in January of pancreatic cancer, just one month after his diagnosis.  His doctor, after looking into his family history, told me to treat myself as if I had celiac disease because there is a gene that my family may have that makes us susceptible to several cancers including colon, pancreatic, gastric cancers, breast, uterine, ovarian and a lot more.  I always suspected I had problems with gluten but my symptoms were skin issues, chronic constipation and hypothyroid and not the usual diarrhea, reflux and abdominal pain so I figured it was just a sensitivity or food allergy.  I severely restrict my gluten intake now and treat myself as if I have celiac disease even though I have no idea if I really do.  I have found out just recently that I do have cousins on my father's side that have been diagnosed with celiac disease.  I'm not interested in poisoning myself to get tested, though.  I'm 51 and I have limited time to try to get as healthy as possible, IMO.  If and when testing for the particular gene becomes available I may do that.  

[nvsmom]

I'm sorry for your loss.    My father also died of pancreatic cancer, but it was many years ago.  I do wonder if he was an undiagnosed celiac.

 

I think it is wise that you avoid all gluten if you suspect celiac disease and are unable to test for it.  Better safe than sorry.

 

Welcome to the board.

[birdnflight]

On ‎3‎/‎17‎/‎2009 at 4:09 PM, BasqueMom said:

I was diagnosed with a mucinous cyst in the tail of my pancreas in 2008. I had surgery and the Dr. removed the tail of my pancreas. Thankfully they found no cancer. I have also been wondering if this had anything to do with me being an undiagnosed celiac for so very many years of my life. I brought up this idea to my gastroenterologist at my last visit. He says pancreatic cancer is or can be genetic. He is the one who diagnosed my cyst as being precancerous by doing an endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy. He takes a very narrow view of celiac disease, as far as I am concerned, and he said that my cyst would not have been caused by gluten consumption. I have never been diagnosed as being a celiac patient by any doctor. I finally did a DNA test several years ago after trying to eat gluten free for some time. I followed the diet carefully and then found out that the flour I was using was brown rice but not gluten free. I inherited the HLA-DQ 4,8 genes. I am assuming the HLA-DQ8 is from my mother's side of the family. She is 90 and we got her tested last year. She is definitely gluten intolerant and carried the HLA-DQ 3,1 (subtype 8,5). They were full blooded Basque and I remember my grandmother being unable to eat much of anything when I was a girl and vomiting often. My grandfather was very short of stature. Interestingly enough the history of pancreatic cancer is on my Dad's side. Assuming that I inherited the DQ8 gene from my mother the other DQ4 gene would have come from him. His mother, my grandmother, was full blooded Italian and the doctor believed that she died of pancreatic cancer. She had sinus problems and had a goiter removed. She died before the days of ultrasound, catscan, etc. From this same Italian side of the family I have lost a third cousin or first cousin twice removed to pancreatic cancer and a second cousin or first cousin once removed who had a cyst in her pancreas like me. All three of my children are gluten intolerant and so far one of my grandchildren. I, of course, do follow the diet which has made a huge difference in the way I feel. I don't understand all the gene issues but am wondering if possibly my Dad carried the gene for celiac also. He always had gastro intestinal issues.

Hi Basque,

I'm sorry to hear about you & family having so many challenges and tragedies related to celiac/pancreatic disease. I'm new to this site and just finding out about celiac disease and it's connection to pancreatic cancer. I thought it was curious that you mentioned that your grandmother was Italian. My mother was half Italian & died from pancreatic cancer at age 62. I saw a study that  was done on Italians for that.  I'm convinced she had celiac but was never diagnosed. I ate pasta all the time growing up & have always been plagued with most of the celiac symptoms. I still occasionally eat gluten foods, but I get bad reactions, more than I did before. I mainly follow the ER4BT diet which is gluten free for me because I am a blood type O, as was my mom, but my brother and dad are both blood type A's & gluten is ok. Neither of them seem affected. Wonder if blood type O is another connection somehow? Perhaps on another post. I'm going to keep searching. Good luck to you?

[kareng]

3 hours ago, birdnflight said:

Hi Basque,

I'm sorry to hear about you & family having so many challenges and tragedies related to celiac/pancreatic disease. I'm new to this site and just finding out about celiac disease and it's connection to pancreatic cancer. I thought it was curious that you mentioned that your grandmother was Italian. My mother was half Italian & died from pancreatic cancer at age 62. I saw a study that  was done on Italians for that.  I'm convinced she had celiac but was never diagnosed. I ate pasta all the time growing up & have always been plagued with most of the celiac symptoms. I still occasionally eat gluten foods, but I get bad reactions, more than I did before. I mainly follow the ER4BT diet which is gluten free for me because I am a blood type O, as was my mom, but my brother and dad are both blood type A's & gluten is ok. Neither of them seem affected. Wonder if blood type O is another connection somehow? Perhaps on another post. I'm going to keep searching. Good luck to you?

The poster you are responding to has not been around since 2009.

The way to find out if you actually have Celiac disease is to go to a doctor and get tested for it.  It is genetic, so other family member could have it, too.  It has nothing to do with blood type.  I think that "blood type diet" has been debunked scientifically.  We did a thread and asked for blood types and got all different ones.  Blood type O is the most common, so lots of Celiacs will say they have that O.  But lots of people with O do not have Celiac.

Edited April 11, 2017 by kareng

[cyclinglady]

@birdnflight -- Here is celiac disease testing information by the University of Chicago which is a well-written site and one of the US leading research centers.  I wish you well!  

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/screening/

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder like lupus.  The most commonly linked cancer is lymphoma, but that is really rare.  You can not tell by symptoms as many celiacs display not symptoms at all.  If you suspect it, ask your doctor to run a celiac blood panel.  

Edited April 11, 2017 by cyclinglady

[birdnflight]

2 hours ago, kareng said:

The poster you are responding to has not been around since 2009.

The way to find out if you actually have Celiac disease is to go to a doctor and get tested for it.  It is genetic, so other family member could have it, too.  It has nothing to do with blood type.  I think that "blood type diet" has been debunked scientifically.  We did a thread and asked for blood types and got all different ones.  Blood type O is the most common, so lots of Celiacs will say they have that O.  But lots of people with O do not have Celiac.

Thanks for the reply. I guess I feel so much better eating for "my type" because it eliminates most grains & dairy. I think I read something in the book about type O's having a natural defense against cancer (except skin), but that something in the wheat protein (gluten?) will cause the tumors to grow considerably(sorry, don't have the book with me). My mom was relatively thin,, but always had a bigger gut proportional to her size. They ended up finding a tumor the size of a grapefruit near her gallbladder duct. Wish there was more info about all of this...I really don't want to start eating gluten again to find out if I have celiac. I'm just getting over bad DH

[birdnflight]

2 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

@birdnflight -- Here is celiac disease testing information by the University of Chicago which is a well-written site and one of the US leading research centers.  I wish you well!  

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/screening/

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder like lupus.  The most commonly linked cancer is lymphoma, but that is really rare.  You can not tell by symptoms as many celiacs display not symptoms at all.  If you suspect it, ask your doctor to run a celiac blood panel.  

Thanks for the link! You answered my question about having to eat gluten to get tested. That's great news, I just need the gene test.