Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach close to the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. This endocrine gland helps in breaking down food by producing digestive juices or enzymes. In addition, the pancreas also produces hormones, which help to regulate levels of sugar in the blood.

According to the National Institutes of Health, pancreatic cancer or cancer of the pancreas is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

People at risk for developing pancreatic cancer are those who

• are smoking


• have long-term diabetes


• have chronic pancreatitis or long-term inflammation of the pancreas


• have certain hereditary disorders

It is hard to detect early stages of pancreatic cancer. People with early stages of the disease may not experience symptoms, if they do get symotoms, they are often vague. When symptoms do occur, it may include pain in the abdomen and back, yellowing of the skin and eyes, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.

Pancreatic cancer is often found during its late stages when cancer spreads quickly. For this reason, pancreatic cancer can be hard to treat. However, when pancreatic cancer is found during its very early stage, it can be cured. Possible treatment options may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.

Related Topics:

Gallbladder Cancer (Cancer of the Gallbladder)
Kidney Cancer (Cancer of the Kidney)
Thymus Cancer (Cancer of the Thymus Gland)
Thyroid Cancer (Cancer of the Thyroid Gland)

For More Information:

What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Pancreas (National Cancer Institute)