What is Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that affects our pancreas. The pancreas are responsible for producing the digestive juices that break down our food and to produce hormones that control our blood sugar levels, like insulin and glucagon.The digestive juices produced by the pancreas are made by exocrine pancreas cells. 95% of all pancreatic cancers begin in these cells. The hormones are produced by endocrine pancreas cells. Cancer beginning in the cells are much less common.
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 behind the stomach and in front of the spine.
Researchers are not aware of what exactly causes pancreatic cancer, however known risk factors for the disease have been identified. Smoking, long standing diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, and other hereditary conditions are risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to dianose and it hard to detect early. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer do not usually present themselves until the disease has advanced. Symptoms of the disease ofetn mimic those of other ailments. The pancreas are also a well hidden organ, being behind the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and bile ducts.
Pancreatic cancer can be controlled only if it is found before it has spread, when it can be removed by surgery. If the cancer has spread, palliative treatment can improve the patient's quality of life by controlling the symptoms and complications of this disease.
Adapted from the National Cancer Institute
