A BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Whipple Procedure For Pancreatic Cancer (courtesy: www.uab.edu)

Surgical removal is only the chance for a cure for patients with cancer of the pancreas. This is known as “pancreaticoduodenectomy” or “Whipple procedure”.

Pancreas cancer, also referred to as pancreatic cancer, begins, when the cancerous cells develop in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is about 6 inches long and looks something like a pear lying on its side. It is said to be crucial part of the digestive system. It is a gland located in the upper part of the abdomen right behind the stomach, and produces a hormone called insulin, which helps in maintaining the blood glucose level. The pancreas also produce certain enzymes that help the body to digest food.

Every year, about 32,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed in the United States. Pancreatic cancer contributes to almost 2% of all cancer cases, and is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. For those people whose cancer has not spread, the five-year survival rate is 16%.

Pancreatic cancer cannot be traced easily. It has a poor prognosis, when diagnosed early. This spreads quite rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is the main reason why it is a leading cause of cancer death. The signs and symptoms are understandable, when the pancreatic cancer is in the advanced stage and the surgical removal is not possible.

Types of Pancreatic Cancer
There are two types of pancreatic cancer:
Cancer in pancreas ducts (adenocarcinoma). Cancer cells grow along the line of pancreas duct. Referred to as adenocarcinomas, or exocrine tumors.
Cancer in hormone-producing cells. Called endocrine cancer. Very rare.