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WebMD Home next page Cancer Health Center next page Pancreatic Cancer
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Pancreatic Cancer Health Center
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Pancreatic Cancer
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Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells
form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located
behind the stomach and in front of the spine. The pancreas produces
digestive juices and hormones that regulate blood sugar. Cells called
exocrine pancreas cells produce the digestive juices, while cells
called endocrine pancreas cells produce the hormones. The majority of
pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine cells.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
* Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
* Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back
* Unexplained weight loss
* Loss of appetite
* Fatigue
* Depression
Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors
The factors which could put you at risk for developing pancreatic
cancer include:
* Smoking
* Chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
After taking down your health history and performing a physical exam,
the doctor may order several tests to determine the cause of your
problem or extent of the condition, including:
* CT scan (computed tomography)
* MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
* Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
* Laparoscopy (surgical procedure to look at organs)
* Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC; procedure used to
X-ray liver and bile ducts)
* Biopsy (removal of tissue to view it under a microscope)
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
There are various treatments for pancreatic cancer, including surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to treat
cancer, while radiation therapy uses X-rays or other kinds of
radiation to kill cancer cells. Surgery can be used to remove a tumor
or to treat symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
What Is the Outlook for Pancreatic Cancer?
The American Cancer Society reports that only about 23% of patients
with cancer of the exocrine pancreas are still living one year after
diagnosis. Only about 4% are still living five years after being
diagnosed.
Â
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2005).
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland
Clinic
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===============================
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