'Silent killer' has variety of symptoms, causes
11/1/2009 11:16 PM
Press Materials
November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
In 2009, an estimated 42,470 new cases of pancreatic cancer have been reported to the National Cancer Institute, resulting in 35,240 deaths.
Shaped like a flat pear and located in the abdomen, the pancreas is a gland that is about 6 inches long and is surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen and gallbladder.
The pancreas serves two primary functions: the exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine cells produce enzymes that help with digestion.
The endocrine function involves the production of the hormones insulin and glucagon to maintain the proper levels of sugar in the blood.
According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's website, www.pancan.org, 95 percent of pancreatic cancers are classified as exocrine tumors because they begin in the exocrine cells.
Cancer of the pancreas is often called a "silent" disease because symptoms are not usually present in early stages.
The majority of patients have advanced disease by the time it becomes noticeable to themselves and doctors.
Symptoms that develop are vague. Individuals may experience different symptoms depending on the location, type and stage of the tumor.
Symptoms that commonly lead to diagnosis include jaundice, abdominal and/or back pain, unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
A person with advanced pancreatic cancer might experience all of these symptoms and others, including ascites and blood clots.
Ascites is the abnormal build up of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Blood clots most often form in the legs and might easily go unnoticed.
Symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, digestive difficulties and depression can occur at any time.
Diagnosing pancreatic cancer can be difficult because symptoms are not always obvious and usually develop gradually.
If an individual has symptoms that suggest pancreatic cancer, a variety of tests might be performed to make an accurate diagnosis. However, there is no standard diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer.
To view an online booklet produced by the National Cancer Institute, visit www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/pancreas.
11/1/2009 11:16 PM
November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
In 2009, an estimated 42,470 new cases of pancreatic cancer have been reported to the National Cancer Institute, resulting in 35,240 deaths.
Shaped like a flat pear and located in the abdomen, the pancreas is a gland that is about 6 inches long and is surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen and gallbladder.
The pancreas serves two primary functions: the exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine cells produce enzymes that help with digestion.
The endocrine function involves the production of the hormones insulin and glucagon to maintain the proper levels of sugar in the blood.
According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's website, www.pancan.org, 95 percent of pancreatic cancers are classified as exocrine tumors because they begin in the exocrine cells.
Cancer of the pancreas is often called a "silent" disease because symptoms are not usually present in early stages.
The majority of patients have advanced disease by the time it becomes noticeable to themselves and doctors.
Symptoms that develop are vague. Individuals may experience different symptoms depending on the location, type and stage of the tumor.
Symptoms that commonly lead to diagnosis include jaundice, abdominal and/or back pain, unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
A person with advanced pancreatic cancer might experience all of these symptoms and others, including ascites and blood clots.
Ascites is the abnormal build up of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Blood clots most often form in the legs and might easily go unnoticed.
Symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, digestive difficulties and depression can occur at any time.
Diagnosing pancreatic cancer can be difficult because symptoms are not always obvious and usually develop gradually.
If an individual has symptoms that suggest pancreatic cancer, a variety of tests might be performed to make an accurate diagnosis. However, there is no standard diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer.
To view an online booklet produced by the National Cancer Institute, visit www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/pancreas.
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