gastrointestinal disorders
Pancreatic Cancer
Introduction
Pancreatic cancer, primarily ductal adenocarcinoma, accounts for an estimated 64,050 cases and 50,550 deaths in the United States annually ( General reference ). Symptoms include weight loss, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Diagnosis is by CT or MRI/MRCP, and then endoscopic ultrasonography with biopsy. Treatment is a combination of surgical resection and chemotherapy. In some instances, radiation therapy is also used. Prognosis is poor because disease is often advanced at the time of diagnosis. Most pancreatic cancers are exocrine tumors that develop from ductal and acinar cells. Overview of Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors are discussed elsewhere. Adenocarcinomas of the exocrine pancreas arise from duct cells 9 times more often than from acinar cells; 80% occur in the head of the gland. Adenocarcinomas appear at the mean age of 55 years and occur 1.5 to 2 times more often in men. Acinar cell carcinoma is a rare cause of pancreatic cancer. It has a better prognosis than traditional ductal adenocarcinoma. for pancreatic cancer include smoking, a history of Chronic Pancreatitis , Heredity plays some role; 10% of pancreatic cancers are associated with an underlying genetic component. Genetic testing is now offered routinely to all patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. 