PANCREATIC CANCER

WHAT IS IT?

• Pancreatic cancer starts in the pancreas
• There are two types of pancreatic cancers
• They are exocrine and endocrine tumors
• Most pancreatic cancers are exocrine tumors

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ENDOCRINE TUMORS

• Endocrine tumors of the pancreas are uncommon
• Endocrine tumors make up less than 4% of all pancreatic cancers
• Endocrine tumors can either be beleign or malignant
• Benign and malignant tumors can look alike under a microscope
• The diagnosis is shown when the tumor spreads out of the pancreas

RISK FACTORS

• Tobacco use
• Overweight and obesity
• Workplace exposure to certain chemicals

SYMPTOMS: EXOCRINE TUMORS

• Dark urine & jaundice
• Itchy skin & gallbladder enlargement
• Abdorminal/Back pain
• Weight loss/Poor appetite
• Blood clots & digestive problems

SYMPTOMS: ENDOCRINE TUMORS

• Gastrinomas
• Makes gastrin, a hormone which leads to too much acid in the stomach
• Glucagonomas
• Makes glucagon, a hormone that increases glucose levels
• Insulinomas (These tumors make insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels)

SCREENING TESTS

• Medical history and physical exam
• Imaging tests (x-rays, etc)
• CT scan
• MRI
• Ultrasound

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• Blood tests
• PET scan
• Biopsy
• Angiography

BEHAVIORS THAT WOULD HELP WITH PREVENTION

• The cause of many pancreatic cancers is unknown
• There is no sure way to prevent it
• However, you can reduce your risk by:
• Not smoking & avoiding workplace exposure to harmful substances
• Having a healthy weight & maintaining a healthy diet

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