Pancreatic Cancer
The Stealth Killer
Definition
The pancreas is a 6-8 inch slipper shaped gland that produces hormones for organs (exocrine)it puts hormones in the bloodstream (endocrine) and it also helps produce enzymes that break down fatty cells.
Symptoms
There are 3 different types of pancreatic cancer, insulinoma, glucagonoma, and somatostatinoma.
Insulinoma-Sweating, tremors, inflammation of esophagus, epigastric pain, multiple ulcers, diarrhea
Glucagonoma-skin rash, inflammation of stomach, glucose intolerance, weight loss, weakness, and anemia
- Somatostatinoma-mild diabetes, diarrhea, weight loss, gallbladder
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/understanding-pancreatic-cancer-basics
Prevalence
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer and it usually affects people within the ages of 40-70 years. 37,000 Americans are affected by pancreatic cancer every year.
What are the treatments?
There is only one type of treatment which is surgically removing the cancer cells.
https://cyhsanatomy2.wikispaces.com/Pancreatic+Cancer
Causes
There are no known causes of pancreatic cancer but it can be hereditary in men.
Treatment
surgery only known treatment
aggressive surgery improves survival rate
remove the pancreas and sometimes the stomach
The Role and Anatomy of the Pancreas