What It Is
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Definition: Cancer that starts in the tissues of the pancreas. Most pancreatic cancers begin in the exocrine cells, which produce digestive enzymes, but some begin in endocrine cells that produce hormones like insulin.
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Types:
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Exocrine tumors: Most common; includes pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
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Neuroendocrine tumors: Less common; may grow slower.
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Risk Factors
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Age (more common in people over 60)
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Smoking
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Family history of pancreatic cancer or genetic syndromes
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Chronic pancreatitis
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Obesity and diabetes
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Certain lifestyle factors like diet and alcohol use
Symptoms
Pancreatic cancer is often hard to detect early because symptoms appear late. Common signs include:
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Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
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Unexplained weight loss
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Loss of appetite
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Upper abdominal or back pain
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Nausea or digestive problems
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New-onset diabetes
Diagnosis
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Imaging: CT scan, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasound to see the pancreas.
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Biopsy: Tissue sample to confirm cancer type.
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Blood tests: Including tumor markers like CA 19-9 (not definitive alone).
Treatment
Depends on cancer stage and overall health:
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Surgery: Whipple procedure or distal pancreatectomy (for tumors that can be removed).
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Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill cancer cells, sometimes before or after surgery.
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Radiation therapy: Used with chemotherapy or for symptom relief.
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Targeted therapy & immunotherapy: For specific genetic mutations in some patients.
Prognosis
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Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed late, so it can be difficult to treat.
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Early detection improves outcomes, but overall survival rates are lower than many other cancers.
Supportive Care
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Nutritional support, pain management, and psychological support are important.
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Clinical trials may provide access to new treatments.
If you want, I can also explain how pancreatic cancer develops in the body, in a simple way that makes the biology easier to understand. It helps to see why it’s often detected late.
Do you want me to explain that?