Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Survival time associated with pancreatic cancer is very short, most often less than one year.

Types
Most frequently the cancer arises from the ductal (exocrine) cells of the pancreas - ductal adenocarcinoma. Much less often, pancreatic endocrine tumors, islet cell tumors, hormone-producing tumors insulinoma, glucagonoma, etc.

How it spreads:

Cancer cells may spread by

·        Direct extension - from the pancreas to adjacent structures, such as the bile duct, duodenum (small intestine), spleen, colon, adrenal gland, kidney, or vertebra.

·        Metastasis -  most common sites of distant metastatic spread include the liver and the lungs (via the bloodstream) regional lymph nodes and the peritoneum (abdominal cavity).

Risk factors:

·        Advancing age is the strongest risk factor for pancreatic cancer, with the vast majority of cases occurring after the age of 60 years.

·        There is also a clear association between cigarette smoking and pancreatic cancer; however, the roles of diet, alcohol, and coffee have not been substantiated and should not be considered proven risk factors.

Common signs and symptoms are Obstructive jaundice, weight loss and anorexia, fatigue, abdominal pain, frequently radiating to the back.

Staging
Staging evaluation typically should always include a high-quality computerized tomography (CT) scan to assess the extent of disease and whether the cancer may be resectable.

Treatment

Mainstay of treatment is Surgery (Curative or palliative). Followed by chemo- + radiotherapy.

Prevention: Undue abdominal pain radiating to back, weight loss, jaundice are high index of suspicion for pancreatic cancer.