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  ICD10
  ICD9
  ICDO
  OMIM 260350
  MedlinePlus 000236
  EMedicineSubj med
  EMedicineTopic 1712
  DiseasesDB 9510


Pancreatic cancer (also called '''cancer of the Pancreas ''') is represented by the growth of a Malignant Tumour within the small pancreas organ. Each year about 31,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with this condition, with more than 60,000 in Europe .


TYPES




RISK FACTORS

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include {Link without Title} :


DIAGNOSIS

Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult because the symptoms are so non-specific and varied. Common symptoms include Abdominal Pain , Loss Of Appetite , significant Weight Loss , painless Jaundice and dilatation of the gallbladder (=Courvoisier sign), Digestive Problems , and Depression .

Jaundice occurs when the tumour grows and pressure obstructs the common Bile duct (cf. anatomy of the Pancreas ). Tumours of the head of the pancreas (approximately 60% of cases) will more easily give rise to such symptoms.

Courvoisier's Law is sometimes used to distinguish pancreatic cancer from Gallstone s.

Pancreatic cancer is usually discovered during the course of the evaluation of these symptoms by e.g. abdominal CT . Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is another procedure that can help visualize the tumor and obtain tissue to establish the diagnosis.


TREATMENT

Treatment of pancreatic cancer depends on the stage of the cancer {Link without Title} Recent advances have made resection of tumors that were previously unrescetable due to blood vessel involvement possible. The Whipple Procedure is the most common surgical treatment for cancers involving the head of the pancreas.

Recent advances in the treatment of pancreatic cancer:
For number of years, treatment of pancreatic cancer was limited to 5-FU alone. Then Gemcitabine was introduced. Gemcitabine had no survival advantage in pancreatic cancer compared to 5-FU, but the drug was FDA approved for pancreatic cancer based on better improvement in symptoms compared to 5-FU.

Targeted therapy using several new drugs is showing significant improvements in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. New drugs for the treatment of pancreatic cancer include: Erlotinib , Cetuximab , Bevacizumab , Tipifarnib . These drugs hold promise for the future treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.


PROGNOSIS

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer typically have a poor Prognosis because the cancer usually causes no symptoms early on, leading to metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. Median survival from diagnosis is around 6 months; 5-year survival is 5% {Link without Title} . With 31,000 new diagnoses in the United States every year, and 28,200 deaths, mortality approaches 100%.

Pancreatic cancer occasionally may result in Diabetes . The insulin production is hampered and it has been suggested that the cancer can also prompt the onset of diabetes and vice versa. {Link without Title}


PREVENTION

Prevention of pancreatic cancer consists of avoiding risk factors when possible {Link without Title} . Cigarette smoking is considered to be the most significant and avoidable risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising may be helpful. Additionally, increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while decreasing red meat intake is recommended.


VICTIMS OF PANCREATIC CANCER (SURVIVORS)



VICTIMS OF PANCREATIC CANCER (ALL DECEASED)




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