General Information About Pancreatic Cancer

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KEY POINTS

· Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.

· Smoking and health history can affect the risk of pancreatic cancer.

· Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice, pain, and weight loss.

· Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect (find) and diagnose early.

· Tests that examine the pancreas are used to detect (find), diagnose, and stage pancreatic cancer.

· Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Overview

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The pancreas lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine. There are two kinds of cells in the pancreas. Exocrine pancreas cells make enzymes that are released into the small intestine to help the body digest food. Neuroendocrine pancreas cells (such as islet cells) make several hormones, including insulin and glucagon, that help control sugar levels in the blood.

Most pancreatic cancers form in exocrine cells. These tumors do not secrete hormones and do not cause signs or symptoms. This makes it hard to diagnose this type of pancreatic cancer early. For most patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer, current treatments do not cure the cancer.

Some types of malignant pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, such as islet cell tumors, have a better prognosis than pancreatic exocrine cancers.

Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.

The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long that is shaped like a thin pear lying on its side. The wider end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow end is called the tail. The pancreas lies between the stomach and the spine.

African Americans have higher rates of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality than whites or other racial/ethnic groups. Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates also are higher in men than in women.

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Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Additional risk factors include personal history of diabetes or chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), obesity, certain hereditary conditions, and a family history of the disease or pancreatitis. Early-stage pancreatic cancer is often asymptomatic, and there is no routine screening test for pancreatic cancer. Standard treatments for pancreatic cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, chemoradiation, and targeted therapy.

The above information about pancreatic cancer is from cancer.gov

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