Overview Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.
The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long that is shaped like a thin pear lying on its side. The wider end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow end is called the tail. The pancreas lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine.
The pancreas has two main jobs in the body:
• To produce juices that help digest (break down) food. • To produce hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, that help control blood sugar levels. Both of these hormones help the body use and store the energy it gets from food.
The digestive juices are produced by exocrine pancreas cells and the hormones are produced by endocrine pancreas cells. About 95% of pancreatic cancers begin in exocrine cells.
Symptoms These and other symptoms may be caused by pancreatic cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. Consult a doctor if any of the following problems occur:
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). • Pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back. • Unexplained weight loss. • Loss of appetite. • Fatigue.
Treatment The type of treatment selected will depend upon tumor grade and stage as well as your general health. Three types of treatment are commonly used for pancreatic cancer: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
