Introduction
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Typically has a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis
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Successful treatment highly dependent on stage of the cancer
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4th overall cause of cancer death in the U.S.
Pancreatic Cancer Types
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95% of pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas of the exocrine cells
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Other types include Sarcomas, Cystic Tumors, Acinar Cell Cancers, and Ampullary Cancers
Risk Factors
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Most pancreatic cancers are sporadic (non-familial)
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Rates slightly higher in men
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Risk factors include high BMI and diabetes
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Chronic inflammation plays a role (pancreatitis)
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Increased risk associated with smoking and smokeless tobacco use
Symptoms
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Very few symptoms in the early stages of the disease (many are unnoticeable)
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Symptoms include jaundice, weight loss, back/abdomen pain, steatorrhoea
Staging and Pathology Report
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Uses the T,N,M system to evaluate tumor size, lymph node involvement and metastasis
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Stages include: Resectable, Borderline Resectable, Locally Advanced Unresectable, Disseminated
Diagnosis
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Preoperative imaging done with CT scan or ultrasound to determine location and size of the tumor
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ERCP and biopsy may be used for further evaluation of the tumor
Pancreatic Cancer Tumor Biology
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Transformed cells contain a collection of mutations in key genes.
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Key genes include: K-Ras, AKT2, SHH, TP53, HER2/new, PTEN
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Altered genes may gain or lose function
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Cancer stem cells may play a role in tumor recurrence and metastasis
Treatment
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Treatment is dependent on the stage of the cancer
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Treatment possibilities include: Surgical Resection, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Palliative Care and Pain Management.
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