Overview
Pancreatic cancer is a type of malignancy which originates from the tissues of the pancreas that spreads rapidly to nearby structures and organs and very rarely can be detected during the early stages.Signs and Symptoms
Pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to your back, Loss of appetite or unintended weight loss, Depression, New-onset diabetes, Blood clots, Fatigue, Yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice)Common Causes
Unclear, Maybe due to DNA mutation in pancreasRisk Factors
Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), Diabetes, Family history of genetic syndromes that can increase cancer risk, Family history of pancreatic cancer, Smoking, Obesity, Older ageInvestigation Techniques
Tumor marker test (CA19-9), Ultrasound of your pancreas [endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)] , Biopsy (fine-needle aspiration)Treatment and Prevention
Surgery for tumors in the pancreatic head- Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy), Surgery for tumors in the pancreatic body and tail (distal pancreatectomy), Surgery to remove the entire pancreas (total pancreatectomy), Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy
