| Cancer of the pancreas refers to uncontrolled growth of new cells within the pancreas, an elongated gland attached to the first portion of the small intestine (duodenum). The pancreas is subdivided into three anatomic regions (the head, body, and tail) and serves two major functions (digestion and the regulation of blood sugars). It produces secretions (enzymes) that empty into the small intestine, which aid in the digestion of food as it passes through the intestines. It also releases hormones (insulin, glucagon) directly into the circulatory system that help regulate the concentration of sugar in the bloodstream.
The pancreas is located behind the stomach and extends across and toward the back of the abdominal cavity. Because the pancreas lies behind many of the other abdominal organs, it cannot be felt during physical examination, and there are no blood tests to allow early detection in the asymptomatic individual. By the time an individual experiences symptoms, the cancer is often large and may have spread to other organs.Risk: The cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown but there may be a relationship between inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis), diabetes, and pancreatic cancer. Other risk factors may include age (most frequently diagnosed between 45 to 85 years), cigarette smoking, high fat or high caloric intake, eating meat, and exposure to industrial chemical carcinogens such as gasoline, beta naphthylamine, benzidine, dry-cleaning solvents, and substances used in the chemical coke and metal industries. Alcohol consumption and coffee drinking have not been conclusively associated with pancreatic cancer. There may be a genetic cause in up to 10% of pancreatic cancers, but this factor is not yet fully understood ("Can Pancreatic Cancer").
There is a slight male predominance, and blacks are affected more frequently than whites. Incidence and Prevalence: The estimated mortality from pancreatic cancer in the US is 31,270 individuals per year. It is the fourth most common cause of cancer death ("What Are the Key Statistics"). |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor